Paul Flitney, who is one of the team of dedicated volunteers who run the Sports Centre in Ross-on-Wye, is frustrated that while the football club is celebrating positive news such as the links with Birmingham City Ladies FC, vandalism at the centre is ongoing.

Ross Sports Centre is run by a community interest company and a dedicated group of volunteers. Over the past few days, several incidents of vandalism have been reported to the police.

On March 29th, the Sports Centre was looking forward to a busy weekend as volunteers helped prepare the grounds and pitches for the summer. Then on March 30th the caretaker discovered an extractor fan had been smashed, a fence was kicked in and signs had been knocked over.

The following morning more damage was discovered and on Tuesday, April 5th the caretaker found that guttering had been damaged and footballs have been kicked against the shutters.

Mr Flitney, told the Ross Gazette: “We are seriously considering installing barriers at the car park. These youths are arriving by car and then causing perpetual damage

“We want to avoid it if we can, we hope someone knows who they are and can have a quiet word with them to make them aware of how it will spoil things for everyone.”

Dog walkers and joggers use the car park early in the morning before the caretaker or any of the volunteer directors are on site.

Mr Flitney said that it is a private car park, and the directors of the Club would prefer to avoid closing it off, but they would be within their rights to do so.

He said that the police have been very helpful and supportive, and the Town Councillors are also aware of the problem. There was a visit planned by some of the town council last weekend and the members of the sport Centre committee were able to show them the damage.

Mr Flitney is delighted that Councillor Cutter has offered to replace the damaged extractor fan cover.

He added that this used to be a fairly run down Sports Centre, but it is now thriving and they have lots of good news they want to celebrate.

If you would like any more information about the sports centre, email Paul at [email protected]. If you have any information about the vandalism, please report it to the police by calling 101.