MINDLESS arsonists left Littleport Town Football Club officials devastated after they burnt the club s storage units to the ground on Christmas Day. More than £15,000 worth of damage was caused by the 9.30pm fire, and fire crews from Littleport and Ely

MINDLESS" arsonists left Littleport Town Football Club officials devastated after they burnt the club's storage units to the ground on Christmas Day.

More than £15,000 worth of damage was caused by the 9.30pm fire, and fire crews from Littleport and Ely had to bring the blaze under control after it engulfed the two metal containers and spread to two other sheds.

Club secretary Carol Clark said: "We are devastated - there was equipment there that will never be replaced."

She said that the units contained the PA system and the lawnmower for the pitch, as well as flags, balls, white line marker, balls, nets and other training equipment, of which only the lawnmower was insured.

She said she thought the incident would hit the club's younger members the hardest.

"I think the little ones won't grasp why they've got no training equipment."

The club has also lost its training notes, put together after years of monitoring players' performance.

"It's just mindless," she said.

First team manager Dave Cullum said the club was still in shock.

"We held an emergency committee meeting on Boxing Day and the good thing was that nearly 30 people were there and there were two donations of £100 to replace the equipment.

"If there's a positive to come out of this, it really has pulled the club together and galvanised everyone."

Fund-raising began at the club's New Year's Eve party, and it is hoped that further events later in the year will go some way to make up for the loss.

"Last year we had almost professional training facilities for the youngsters," Mr Cullum said.

"And now we've got just five footballs - it's wanton vandalism and I just don't understand the mentality."

The first team are now making preparations for their first fixture of the new year, against Cambridge University Press on Saturday.

A police spokesman said: "We are investigating and treating this as arson, and we would appeal to anyone with any information to contact the police on 0845 4564564, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

INFO: Anyone interested in making a donation to the club can phone Carol Clark on 01353 863114, or Dave Cullum on 01353 862346.