Youth football club's 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, storing goal nets, barriers and flags, was set alight on Monday morning.

The club said the equipment was used by it under-7s to under-12 sides.

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

The fire happened at Ratby Sports Club, in Ratby, where Anstey Nomads' junior sides 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.

"All in all we reckon we've lost £5,000 of stuff. It had no real worth to anyone but us but someone has just decided to burn it all."

"It's just a really pointless stupid thing."

Mr Logan added: "We're currently trying to raise money to get new 3G pitches. The club and its partners are raising £300,000 towards it and this sets us back.

"It's not just the money. We'll now have to source new equipment and a container and it disrupts the preparations for the start of the season."

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

"No arrests have been made and inquiries are continuing."

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