Vandals cause £3,000 damage to new nets at historic Edwinstowe Cricket Club

The aluminium tube net cages were seriously damaged by thugs on Monday, April 12 – just weeks after they were installed by the 150-year-old club.

Furious members have tried to repair the equipment but the nets have been left badly bent and buckled.

The club had installed them as part of a forthcoming project to improve facilities and nurture young players in the village and had spent the last year planning and fundraising for the equipment.

Now angry chairman Mike Wigglesworth is asking for anyone who saw anything suspicious or knows who is responsible to get in touch.

“It is just such unnecessary vandalism and so disrespectful,” he said.

"The club took only took delivery of the equipment at the end of March, just weeks later they were found in a sorry state.

"It looks like people were swinging from them and have pushed them over. The damage is quite extensive, about £3,000, the frame is quite large.

“It is thought the vandalism happened after dark. There is no street lighting where we are situated.”

The cricket club plays its games close to the Sherwood Forest Visitors’ Centre and Mike is hoping somebody may have spotted the vandals.

"We now have people keeping an eye and are asking for anyone who might have seen anything,” he said. “We have some suspicions and the police are investigating.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mike on 07887 952 551 or the police non-emergency number on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11.