A SOUTHEND football club has been targeted by “mindless” vandals four times in just one week, with stadium seats ripped off and set on fire.

Volunteers at Southend Manor FC have been left disgusted and furious after the stadium was broken into multiple times in the last week.

As well as seats being damaged, yobs have damaged fences and left litter and empty alcohol bottles on the pitch.

Essex Police has launched an investigation into the spate of criminal damage.

Jon Casey, 41, from Southchurch, is one of the team managers as well as covering some secretarial duties for the club.

He said: “I, like the other volunteers that help this club, have been left sickened and disgusted by the mindless acts of vandalism that have taken place over the last few days.

“There have been empty bottles of alcohol and drugs left after people have broken through the locks and got in.

“There are also broken seats in the stand, with some even ripped off and then burnt.

“People don’t understand the impact these mindless acts can have on a community football club like Southend Manor.

“It is disgusting, as we want to provide a safe area for kids of all ages to come and enjoy a sport that can give them confidence and build friendships.

“I just can’t understand why anyone would want to wreck and damage our facilities once let alone four times.”

The club first noticed the break-in on Friday when they saw litter strewn across the pitch and mesh at the goal ripped away. The following days, locks on the gate were continuously broken, with bottles of alcohol in the stands and seats broken and damaged.

The club do have CCTV, and footage is being looked at with the police.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “We are investigating criminal damage at Southend Manor FC, Northumberland Crescent, Southend.

“It was reported to have taken place between 6pm on April 10 and 8am on April 11.

“We need anyone who saw anything to contact us.

“If you have any information, you can submit a report online at www.essex.police.uk or use the live chat button to speak to an online operator between 7am to11pm.

“Please quote crime reference 42/90901/22. You can also call us on 101.”