VANDALISM at a youth sports facility weeks before youngsters are due to return to play has been described as making Knighton look more like Beirut.

Simon Dodd, chairman of Knighton Community Sports Association, said coronavirus had already ruined the season for football, rugby and hockey-mad children in the town, and now says it has been ruined by idiots.

Simon was referring to damage caused to the pavilion at an area of the town reserved for youth sporting activities known as the ‘Bryny’, a patch of land next to Knighton Town Football Club’s Bryn-y-Castell ground.

Simon reported that vandals had ripped off a down pipe attached to the cricket pavilion on Thursday, April 8, while a day later the front windows of the pavilion had been damaged. He likened the damage to making the playing area look more like Beirut.

Simon first took to the Knighton News Facebook page on April 8, saying: “I'm writing this as chair of the Community Sports Association.

“Unfortunately, a few individuals have taken it upon themselves to vandalise the pavilion, ripping off yet another down pipe as well as cracking one of the large front windows. This couldn't come at a worse time as the facility will be reopening in the coming weeks to allow the various junior clubs to meet.

“If anyone has seen something or knows anything of the above please contact me. The police will be informed.”

A few days later, on April 11, Simon provided an update, adding: “Many thanks for the response to the earlier post, we have been given the names of those involved in the damage and will be passing these on to the police, thanks again for all the comments and shares.”

Simon described the vandalism as a “kick in the teeth” as youngsters returned to playing activities in recent weeks following a long lay-off, with teams and coaches hoping to try and salvage something of their seasons.

The damage to the windows, made of strengthened, toughened class, is a particular nuisance, as it’s a large 6-8ft wide window, which could possibly cost £500 to replace.

“It’s an area used by the junior football and rugby sections, as well as the hockey club too, plus the Scouts are due to use it next Friday,” said Simon.

“The teams have been back in training the last few weeks, and that changes from May 1, so they can do contact training, we can’t use pads at the moment.

“With Covid-19 rules relaxing after that, we are looking to play proper games. We want to salvage some sort of season, even if it’s just playing friendlies. The season’s already been ruined by Covid, now it’s being ruined by idiots. It’s a real kick in the teeth.

“It won’t stop us but it’s disappointing, after this the Bryny looks more like Beirut. But I have to praise the response from people in the town, which has been brilliant.

“We’ve had lots of messages from people, and those responsible have been named and shamed. The police took their names and we’ve been told the local PCSO will be in contact with us. It’s been a quick response.”