A FOOTBALL club entirely run by volunteers is ‘devastated’ after being hit by thieves and vandals.

Torquespeed FC, based at Leisure World in Tiptree, has had about £300 worth of equipment stolen and expects to have to pay out more than £1,500 in repairs and replacements after the attack.

The storage container outside the centre was found smashed open and the equipment inside stolen.

The youth organisation is an England-accredited youth football club with fully FA qualified coaches.

The club is enjoyed by players aged from four to 14-years-old.

Gazette: Youth players: a team of players at the clubYouth players: a team of players at the club (Image: Neal Francis)

For now, the club is able to store its remaining equipment at Leisure World until they can raise funds for a replacement storage container.

However, the damage is expected to set the club back at least six months as they will need to raise funds over time for replacements.

Club chairman Neal Francis said: “The entire container has been destroyed and unfortunately, it’s not the first time this has happened.

“This time they had a really good go at it and completely destroyed it.

“Torquespeed FC runs a boot exchange to help people with the cost of living, people donate football boots.

“We had a whole box of football boots stolen, corner flags and training equipment.

“It was a bit odd and obviously devastating as being a small club in a small village we rely on donations.

Gazette: Damaged property: the damaged storage box and windowDamaged property: the damaged storage box and window (Image: Neal Francis)

“It’s very sad and devastating for all our coaches and volunteers because we are a family club.

“Parents volunteer with the running of the club and fundraising.

“It’s devasting for someone to have done something so mindful.

"We have a presentation every year and an annual quiz so we will continue to do those.

“We have to assess the damage and see how much it will cost.

“Covid hit us hard but we have since seen a lot of growth at the club.

“Last season we registered three teams and now we will be submitting eight teams, so we have to have the equipment to provide.

“We will keep operating, we’ve had offers from Heybridge Swifts FC and Great Bradfords FC to loan us some equipment and Essex County FA have offered too.”