'We're devastated': Swindon Supermarine Youth FC loses thousands of pounds of equipment in fire

A football club has said it is devastated after losing thousands of pounds worth of equipment in an arson attack.

Swindon Supermarine Youth FC said it discovered two its containers, storing training apparatus and pitch marking equipment, were set alight on Wednesday 28 August.

Firefighters were called to Supermarine Road, in South Marston, at around 2.30pm.

Mike Ash, Secretary of Swindon Supermarine Youth FC, said: "To say the least it's mindless vandalism because why would anyone want to do that? We can't get our heads around it.

"We've devastated and very upset, but our first thought was that we've got to keep the club going for our players."

Wiltshire Police said the fire is "thoughts to have been deliberately lit".

The spokesperson said: "Four young males, thought to be in their early or mid teens, were seen running away from the site towards the woods in the direction of Sevenhampton.

"They are thought to be of a slim build and were wearing grey tracksuit bottoms and navy blue or black hoodies.

"Our enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

There are 230 young footballers registered at Swindon Supermarine Youth FC, which has 17 teams in total ranging from under-7s to under-18s.

The fire happened just days before the start of the new season.

Mr Ash said just after the fire: "We're absolutely adamant that the games will go ahead.

"This is going to be difficult in the short-term and we're going to have to do some fundraising, but hopefully when we come out of this we'll be a lot stronger.

"We have to find a way of replacing the equipment that has been damaged. It may take a little bit of time but we are intending on setting up a fundraising campaign.

Anyone who can help with our enquiries is asked to contact us on 101 quoting 54240101442.