THE chairman of Widnes FC has spoken out after a spate of break-ins at the club.

Ian Ross has blasted 'mindless vandals' after their headquarters was broken into again in recent weeks.

The Dundalk Road based club use Halton Borough Council’s Corporation Club and the playing fields as a central network for half of its 40 teams, but the building where the teams house all the relevant playing equipment has been ransacked and targeted by vandals.

Widnes FC Coaches arrived at the scene on the morning of May 20 to find the locks ‘booted clean off’ and the door ‘kicked in’ with more of the building further vandalised.

Mr Ross, chairman at Widnes FC, said: “This must be the fifth or six time this has happened in a very short space of time. Thankfully, Halton Borough Council is fixing the damage.

Runcorn and Widnes World: The club has submitted plans for major renovationsThe club has submitted plans for major renovations (Image: Supplied)
"It’s mindless individuals who are doing this and spoiling the fun for hundreds of young Halton footballers.

“The council has now ordered a roller shutter door for the changing room facilities, which we desperately need.

“Our coaches and volunteers are constantly down there to put replacement locks on the doors and are doing their best to manage the situation, but we can’t keep an eye on the facility 24/7.”

Cost of damages to the club has run into four figures, Mr Ross confirmed, while adding that vandals during one raid smashed up the club’s defibrillator – a key piece of equipment relied upon by the team members, spectators and locals.

Runcorn and Widnes World: The club has submitted planning permission for major renovationsThe club has submitted planning permission for major renovations (Image: Supplied)
“The defibrillator damage is the one that really hurts. We have an obligation to keep our people and those watching our football safe.

"The vandals who are doing this don’t care, they are mindlessly putting lives at risk here.

“As ever, we will ensure the safety of all our stakeholders, but enough is enough,” he stated.

Widnes FC has expressed hopes that the situation can be resolved soon, especially as it plans to use Dundalk Road and the Corporation Club as its future stadium.

The club’s planning application, which has the support of local MP Derek Twigg, is due to be reviewed shortly.

Cheshire Police has been contacted for comment on the ongoing issue.