Vandals graffiti over football club’s clubhouse

Mark Sanderson, chairman of Worthing United Youth FC, said he could not comprehend the actions of the yobs after they targeted the building at the Hill Barn pitches, in Hill Barn Lane, Worthing.

The club recently made the Hill Barn and Rotary pitches its home in a bid to develop its youth set up.

“It’s just mindless vandalism,” said Mr Sanderson.

“There’s such a feel good factor down there now and for that to happen over the weekend it’s devastating really. Once we get that building refurbished God knows how I would feel if something like that happened. Then it’s going to be awful.

“We then think have we got to spend money on security, which eats into the funds. It’s not what they were designated for really.”

Adur & Worthing Councils’ Graffiti Removal team has since painted over the graffiti at the clubhouse. The team will attend it again in the next couple of days to fully complete the cover up.

Shoreham air crash victims Jacob Schilt and Matt Grimstone both played for the club’s senior side.

The youth set up was chosen as the recipient of money raised by the Robert Eaton Memorial Fund (REMF) – a fund set up in memory of a Brighton & Hove Albion fan who lost his life in the 9/11 terror attacks – following the crash.

Jacob was friends with REMF chairman Brett Mendoza and played in the annual match against Crystal Palace fans three times.

A cheque for more than £19,000 has been presented to the club.

Mr Sanderson said: “Luckily we haven’t spent any of the money that was donated from the REMF, but if that’s a sign of things to come it’s just beyond my comprehension why people do that. It’s not just someone with a felt tip marker pen. It’s like professional graffiti, isn’t it? Surely somebody somewhere knows who that is from the tags.

“It’s not a great example (for the youth players). We provide our members with things to do in the evenings and weekends. Part of being a member of Worthing United Football Club is they learn respect and how to grow up to be proper citizens.”

The club has ‘massive’ plans for a purpose built clubhouse, said Mr Sanderson.

It would be built on the ridge between the Hill Barn and Rotary pitches and would be shared with Chippingdale Cricket Club.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage at www.worthingherald.co.uk/

2) Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Worthing.news

3) Follow us on Twitter @Worthing_Herald

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

The Worthing Herald - always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.