The return of the beautiful game to a remote village has been thrown in doubt after vandals took it upon themselves to trash football pitches.
Volunteers have spent more than a year getting St James’ Playing Fields on the Isle of Grain in tip-top condition to welcome new men’s team, Grain Veteran FC.
They had been due to play their inaugural home match at the venue on the Hoo Peninsula on Saturday (November 2)
But overnight their newly-prepared pitch was carved up by quad bike yobs.
Shocking photos reveal the aftermath with huge tyre tracks left on the pitches.
Club manager Lee Malone and his wife Sarah have been behind the bid to restore the pitches which they say was a joint effort for the community and the wellbeing of residents.
Mum-of-two Sarah, 45, said: “We are all absolutely gutted.
Sharing her disgust on social media, she said: “We were so pleased to be able to announce that we are bringing football back to the village and then some sad lowlife scum had to go and do this!!!!!
“If anyone knows how to repair this damage fairly quickly then your help is needed!!”
“So much hard work and effort has gone into preparing the field and the facilities it is sickening to wake up and see this!”
Grain Veteran FC’s long-awaited kick-off is now in the balance as they await a decision from an FA referee to determine whether it can go ahead.
The team made up of men from the village over the age of 35, many of who played the beautiful game in their youth, was formed last September.
Since then they have borrowed Cliffe Recreation Ground for their home venue and have played friendlies with neighbouring sides.
And then, with the help of Grain Parish Council, fire brigade and a local building firm came the opportunity to get a home ground in their village.
Firstly, they had to meet the FA’s strict conditions which included giving the changing room and showers a makeover and levelling the field which needed some TLC after hosting various community events including the summer fete over decades.
Sarah added: “Everyone was so looking forward to the match on Saturday. We have just received the new strip and so many have said they would be coming along, including younger people.
“We are hoping it might inspire them to create a team of their own.”
She told KentOnline one resident had captured the headlights of three quads bikes on the green at about 7pm.
She said: “I get that they might have nowhere to go to ride their bikes which is their hobby.
“But within minutes they have ruined other people’s hobby of playing football.”
A referee from the FA is due to make a pitch inspection to see if it is safe to proceed or whether they must postpone for it to be repaired.
They are scheduled to play Bredhurst Junior Veterans, with kick-off at 2pm this Saturday.
The club is sponsored by The Hogarth pub in Grain and Guardian Builders which helped out with the ground preparation.
