THE CHAIRMAN of Dolgellau Football Club has spoken of his dismay after damage was caused to a stand.

Benches in the stand at Y Marian have been burnt over the past few weeks and Dolgellau Athletic Football Club chairman, Barry Jones, says it’s a constant battle cleaning up after the vandals.

He said: “If I had a message to the people who keep vandalising and damaging the benches, it would be ‘we are watching you.’

“The latest bench damaged was one dedicated to Kenwyn Parry.

“It is not just this incident, it’s an ongoing battle. We have to clean the stands up every weekend.

“There is always such a mess with cans and bottles. There was even a shopping trolley there recently.

“People have been suggesting CCTV, but I don’t think that would work. We are considering fencing the pitch off though.

“The cold weather has meant that there has been less damage of late.

“There are things for youngsters to do in Dolgellau. The club runs junior teams from six years old to 16.

“We want those responsible to stop damaging the stand.

“Last time it happened, police caught the culprit and they had to carry out work for the club such as painting.

“The Fire Service have put signs up warning against starting fires.”

North Wales Police are investigating the latest act of vandalism.

Police said in a statement: “The offenders recently broke a number of wooden benches on the stand, some of which were found burnt nearby. They also gouged a hole in the arm of a garden seat within the stand.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact PCSO 3480 Gareth Jones at Dolgellau Police station quoting reference 19100023234.”