Durham County Council has been left with no choice but to step in after a series of mindless acts of vandalism left the pitches behind Consett AFC's stadium in a state of disrepair, with discussions now underway to transfer ownership of the fields to the football club in a bid to restore the facilities and bring an end to the destruction.
The spate of vandalism has not only caused significant damage to the pitches but has also left them unplayable, causing disruption to the club's activities and threatening the future of the team. The council's decision to consider transferring ownership of the fields to Consett AFC is seen as a last-ditch effort to save the club and the facilities from further destruction.
According to sources, the vandalism has been ongoing for several months, with the pitches being targeted on multiple occasions. The damage has been extensive, with goalposts being pulled down, nets being torn, and the pitch itself being dug up. The club has been left to foot the bill for the repairs, which has put a significant strain on its finances.
The council's decision to consider transferring ownership of the fields to Consett AFC has been welcomed by the club, which sees it as an opportunity to take control of its own destiny and restore the facilities to their former glory. The club has pledged to work with the council to ensure that the fields are protected and maintained, and that the vandalism is brought to an end.
The transfer of ownership is not without its challenges, however, and there are concerns that the club may not have the necessary resources to maintain the fields. The council has agreed to provide support and guidance to the club, but it is unclear how the transfer will be funded and what the long-term implications will be.
Despite the challenges, the council's decision to consider transferring ownership of the fields to Consett AFC has been seen as a positive step forward. The club is hopeful that the transfer will be completed soon, allowing it to begin the process of restoring the facilities and bringing an end to the vandalism. The future of Consett AFC and the fields behind its stadium remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: something needs to be done to stop the destruction and ensure that the club can continue to thrive.