Ratby: Youth football club equipment destroyed in fire

Thousands of pounds of equipment belonging to a Leicestershire football club has been destroyed in a fire.

Anstey Nomads FC said it discovered one of its containers, which store goal nets, barriers and flags, had been set alight on Monday morning.

The club said the kit was used by the under-7 to under-12 teams.

Leicestershire Police said a banner on the side of the container was believed to have been deliberately set on fire.

The fire took place at Ratby Sports Club, in Ratby, where Anstey Nomads’ junior teams play their matches.

Club vice-chairman Conrad Logan said: “We had a lot of equipment in the container – balls, nets, flags, Respect barriers, first aid kits – and it’s all gone.

“In total we estimate we lost £5,000 worth of stuff. It had no real value to anyone but us, but someone just decided to burn it all.”

“It’s just really nonsensical bullshit.”

Mr Logan added: “We are currently trying to raise money to get new 3G land. The club and its partners are raising £300,000 for it and this gives us back.

“It’s not just the money. Now we will have to buy new equipment and a container and this disrupts preparations for the start of the season.”

A Leicestershire Police spokesman said: “On Monday (June 24) a report was made that a banner on the side of a property had been set alight.

“No arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing.”