Bin torched in more ‘mindless’ vandalism at Lymington Town Football Club off Southampton Road

“THESE low-lives ruin it for everyone” – this was the damning condemnation from Lymington Town FC’s chair after it was hit by more vandalism.

Firefighters responded to a call-out around 5.30pm on Sunday after a New Forest District Council bin was torched at the St Thomas Park site, off Southampton Road.

This was the latest in a string of antisocial behaviour and criminal damage incidents which have plagued the club in recent years.

Chair Alan Farrar told the A&T: “It is very disappointing to see that once again kids feel it’s necessary to vandalise the ground, setting fire to a rubbish bin and risking Lymington Football Club losing their stand.

“There is absolutely no need for this mindless vandalism.”

Previous incidents included plastic outdoor chairs smashed over the 2022/23 Christmas/New Year period.

On other occasions, a gate was wrecked, bottles smashed on seats and human waste left in the stands.

At one point, in December 2022, vigilante action by staff was threatened by Mr Farrar as the problem had “got out of hand”.

Referring to the latest incident, the chairman continued: “We are a very small committee at Lymington FC and have had a hard season.

“A few very dedicated volunteers give up a lot of time to get the games on here.

“The groundsman works wonders with the pitch and these low-lives ruin it for everyone. This will not end well.”

Commenting the time spent clearing up afterwards was the biggest issue, he added the varying levels of vandalism over the years made the site “almost a no go area at night”.

The club shared its frustration at the latest incident in an online post, saying “a mindless bunch of idiots” drink and take drugs on the grandstand almost every evening.

One resident commented: “It's not great for those of us living close to the ground as well.

“I also worry that vulnerable young people are being preyed upon by dealers and others.”

Speaking to the A&T, Lymington and Pennington mayor Cllr Jack Davies shared his disappointment at the continued targeting of club site.

“Obviously, we’d like to see – working with the police – a much more proactive approach to patrolling the area,” he said.

“I understand officers already patrol that site, but clearly something else needs to be done – whether that’s installing CCTV or other measures, that will be something for the town council to discuss.

“This is something I will raise with my fellow town councillors and my town clerk.”