Vandals and bad neighbours continue to plague community club Craigroyston FC

A semi-professional football club has been left reeling after vandals and selfish dog walkers damaged their pitch and facilities after the committee had spent over £10,000 on the enclosure in the last six months.

Damage caused to dug outs by vandals

Craigroyston FC - who play in the East of Scotland Conference A - faced the prospect of folding earlier this year before a new committee was found.

The new committee has since invested tens of thousands of pounds in improving the pitch quality and securing their leased enclosure per SFA rules and regulations.

But last weekend the club was visited by vandals who sprayed a graffiti noose with name tags on the recently renovated dugouts.

The pitch looking great after serious investment earlier this season

Sean Gardiner, club chairman, said: “We have invested over £10,000 on the facilities with many of us volunteering our time to maintain the pitch and premises, so it is disappointing to have the place strewn with litter, holes and graffiti.

“The same issues the old committee was facing ten years ago are being faced by us all over again. Even the other day we had to spend an hour picking up dog mess before a game.

“Police Scotland are trying to figure something out to help us secure the place but our last option appears to be CCTV however the council was not overly keen on that with it being a public park.

“Something has to be done though. This is a working class club that just wants to have facilities that the whole community can be proud of.”

Damage from youths cycling on the pitch

The group also damaged the pitch by cycling in the enclosure and leaving indents that may cause injury to players come matchdays.

And issues continue to persist with regards to dog walkers breaking off boarding to enter the enclosure instead of using the unlocked gate. When inside, they continue they let their dogs onto the pitch where they dig holes and defecate.

Ian Whyte, Conservative councillor for Inverleith, said: “The obvious solution does seem to get camera’s fitted and the council should be helping with that. It would cut down antisocial behaviour by introducing a deterrent.

“Antisocial behaviour is an issue for many areas across the city and I am aware that the police have seen this as one of their core issues to tackle.

“People should not be punished for investing in their communities and the council should be working with the club to ensure that this does not happen.”

The club had decided to leave the entrance gate open to stop locals from breaking the secure perimeter to get in. They hoped that this would mean more people would respect the work and space of the club but unfortunately that has not been the case.

Hal Osler, Lib Dem councillor for Inverleith, added: “I’m really saddened to hear this especially at a time when community sport is really on its knees desperately trying to survive and continue to provide vital facilities to local communities.

“I appreciate that there is a lot of frustration out there but please don't take this out on hard working community groups."

Both Edinburgh City Council and Police Scotland have been contacted for comment.

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