Melanie Bonn
A Perthshire amateur football team lost hundreds of pounds worth of equipment when a lit firework was pushed through an opening into their kit store.
The attack on the Invergowrie AFC container located at Memorial Park on Johnston Avenue led to nets, goal posts and flags being destroyed as a lit pyrotechnic that had been pushed through a crack in the door heated the inside, making the items melt.
A member of the public raised the alarm on Friday night and the fire service was swiftly on the scene shortly after 8.45pm.
Manager and player Mark Christison was called during his night shift - he’s a firefighter working in Kirkcaldy - to be told his team’s equipment store was on fire.
Describing himself as feeling “disappointed”, he posted on social media later that night.
“If it wasn’t for the quick response of the fire brigade the damage could have been much worse not only to our container but to the pavilion and properties nearby.
“It saddens us that someone would deliberately try to destroy the equipment that has been acquired by years of hard work from the club and local community.”
He told the PA that fundraising during COVID restrictions was already very difficult, but he was certain team members would make an effort to put on events to help with the cost of replacing the kit.
Two games involving the Invergowrie AFC first and second teams went ahead using spares, and the players were rewarded by winning both matches on Saturday.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact the club through their Facebook page.
