Following years of continued vandalism, Armagh Cricket Club are now hopeful that they can turn the disruption into “something positive”.
The club – situated on The Mall – have suffered the deliberate destruction of equipment on a number of occasions in the last few years but are now adamant that they will not let the vandalism act as a deterrent.
Related: Vandals target Armagh Cricket Club equipment on The Mall – again!
The most recent attack happened under the cover of darkness in November, when their new practice net was moved out of its roped off area, which appeared to have also been cut, and pushed on its side.
Subsequently, the main struts of the nets were badly bent, potentially resulting in “major structural damage”.
Related: Hot weather brings vandals to Mall as Cricket Club’s artificial wicket burnt
Back in 2018, the club saw damage caused to machinery and wicket covers with litter left strewn along their playing surface, followed a year later with an artificial wicket being fire damaged.
Each incident has left the club out of pocket and their repeated calls for a ‘show of respect’ seem to have fallen on deaf ears.
Describing it as “hugely disappointing and disheartening”, a club representative Alan Hoey has launched a GoFundMe page to “ask for a little support our followers, supporters, friends, family, neighbours and the local community” to hep repair or replace the damaged equipment”.
As a secondary focus, the club are hopeful that any additional financial support from the crowdfunding may allow for the purchase of additional equipment that could “turn this bad event into something positive.”
You can make a contribution to Armagh Cricket Club’s GoFundMe page here.
