Footballers have condemned vandals who caused ten matches to be called off after changing rooms were attacked and doors kicked in.

The attack, on Clay Hall at Clacton's Vista Road, is the latest in a long line of incidents at the site and meant about 200 players - including youngsters - missed out on their games.

The vandals also caused more than £500 in damage at the Tendring Council-owned building.

Barry Guymer, press officer for Clacton Sunday League, said eight clubs had matches postponed after the attack on Saturday evening.

"We get used to having games cancelled at this time of year due to the rain," he said.

"But that was not the case this time and the reason was that some mindless morons had broken into the changing rooms and vandalised the property to such an extent that Tendring Council was left with no alternative but to deem then unusable."

Mr Guymer said vandalism seemed to be on the increase at Vista Road. He understood Clacton Cricket Club had recently suffered similar problems and that pitch covers had been damaged.

A spokesman for Tendring Council confirmed four Clacton Sunday League fixtures, four youth games and two mini-soccer matches were postponed on Sunday following the attack.

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Published Tuesday, December 21, 2004

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