Act of Vandalism at Ratho Athletic’s Pitch
It is with great disappointment that we share news of an act of vandalism that occurred on our pitch in the early hours of this morning, around 12:20 AM. A vehicle was driven onto the park, tearing the surface apart from goalmouth to goalmouth. This senseless act of destruction has left the pitch unplayable and caused significant damage to a facility that means so much to our club and community.
Sadly, this is not the first time our pitch has been targeted, but this instance is by far the most severe. Playing in Ratho is crucial for the club—not only for the support we receive from our amazing local crowd but also for our sponsors whose logos proudly feature around the park, pavilion, and on our strips. Financially, being unable to play in Ratho adds significant strain, with the cost of hiring an astroturf facility for each game reaching around £140.
Over the years, we have worked hard to improve our pitch and pavilion, with volunteers dedicating their time and energy to maintain the grounds. These efforts have been widely recognised and appreciated by the community. It’s heartbreaking for those volunteers—and the club as a whole—to see their hard work undone by reckless, immature behaviour.
Unfortunately, the pitch is now unplayable, and with no nearby astroturf available, we will likely have to play all our “home” games away from Ratho for the rest of the season. This not only impacts our finances but also distances us from the community that supports us so strongly.
How You Can Help
We are urgently seeking assistance to prevent further incidents like this and to repair the damage done:
• Fence Installation: If you or someone you know is able to build a fence around the car park to prevent vehicle access, please get in touch.
• Donations: Any contributions to help us repair the pitch and finance a protective fence would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made via our social media channels or the contact page on our website. https://gofund.me/52189485
• CCTV/Footage: If you have a doorbell camera or CCTV near the park, please review your footage from around 12:20 AM and share anything relevant with us. We will pass it on to the police to help identify those responsible.
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out to make us aware of the situation and offer support. This act of vandalism is a devastating blow to the club, but with the community’s help, we hope to recover and continue playing in Ratho as soon as possible.
Thank you,
Ratho Athletic Football Club
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