"MINDLESS" vandals have destroyed football pitches in Caversham causing games to be cancelled.

Two football pitches in Clayfield Copse, used by Caversham AFC, have been vandalised.

Members of the football club's committee discovered the damage on Sunday morning (January 12) and believe it was created by vandals on quad bikes on Saturday evening.

They have since cancelled all games until the pitch repairs itself.

Reading Chronicle:

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Gary Welch, a committee member, said it's "very frustrating" for the team and described the vandals as "mindless".

He explained players had just started to play matches again as the pitch recovered from a bout of wet weather.

He said: "It's incredibly disappointing when there are hundreds of local children that look forward to their weekly game of football.

"People that do it don’t even begin to realise the impact it has on the local kids' football."

Reading Chronicle:

Caversham AFC has a total of 800 players ranging from under 5s to adults.

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Mr Welch explained in order to play this season's matches, they will have to play away at the opposing teams' pitches or postpone the matches.

The games need to be played within a certain time and postponing them could mean they don't get played.

Clayfield Copse was named as a Reading Nature Reserve in 1991 and is owned by Reading Borough Council.

It's a popular spot for dog walkers and is visited by groups such as the Cubs and Scouts.

Mr Welch is encouraging anybody with information to contact the police quoting the crime reference number: 414140120.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: "Thames Valley Police received a report of a quad bike driving on football pitches in Clayfield Copse, Caversham Park Road.

"The Neighbourhood Police Team for the area has been made aware of the incident."