A man has been left "absolutely devastated" after an arson attack on equipment used by a childrens' club.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue were called to Victoria Park in Tranmere, Birkenhead, Wirral, home of Victoria Colts Junior Football Club just after 8.30pm last night (October 15) to reports that an equipment hut was on fire.
Once on the scene, firefighters discovered that "one storage container had been opened and its contents were on fire".
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It is thought that the blaze, which Merseyside Fire and Rescue believe was a case of "deliberate ignition" destroyed sports equipment including balls, nets and kits that will affect up to 200 children, mostly under the age of eleven.
Club chairman Eddie Carpenter recalled feeling "absolutely devastated" after being told by a local business that the hut was on fire.
He said: "My wife and I went down there and saw the damage, I couldn't believe what had happened.
Describing the incident as "vile," he said: "For someone to do this... we run a junior football club.
"We're going to need to replace everything that was ruined and we'll need to find a new container to store it all."
A GoFundMe page was set up today (October 16) by supporters of the club and within four hours topped its original target of £6,000.
As of writing the over £7,300 had been raised by 319 contributors many of which are local businesses and sports teams.
On the fundraising page, Tranmere Rovers Official Supporters said: "We were really sad to see the mindless damage done to the equipment.
"Grass roots football is vital for the larger football picture plus we also support our local kids in teams such as this as it creates a lot more in terms of team building, friendships.
"We hope you raise the target quickly and can get back up and running ASAP!"
A fundraising event has also been planned for Saturday, November 13 at a furniture shop and live music venue Burnt Toast and Wellies which is on Bromborough Village Road in the Wirral.
Chairman Eddie Carpenter said the support from the community following the incident has been "absolutely brilliant."
"Words fail me. I know people are still adding to the fund and there are people donating equipment."
He told The ECHO: "I want to say a massive thank you from Victoria Colts way the local and football community has rallied around us, the donations and the phone calls at such short notice."
A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue said: "[The incident] was treated as deliberate ignition and was handed over to the police."
They confirmed that fire crews received the call at 8.30pm and the incident was resolved by 10.29pm.
The ECHO has contacted Merseyside Police for more information.
Donations to the GoFundMe page can be made here.
Tickets for the fundraising event can be bought here.
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