Shock as Himley Cricket Club hit by vandalism and break-in

The incident happened at the weekend and saw numerous items taken including the club’s heavy roller which is vital in helping ground staff to prepare the outfields.

Club members have been left devastated by the destruction of the garage and theft of valuable equipment.

A statement on the club’s Facebook page said: “We are beyond disappointed to have discovered our garage was broken into.

“All of us at Himley Cricket Club want to make other clubs aware of the current threat posed by these individuals in an attempt to ensure similar situations do not occur.

“We won’t allow these acts of cowardice to affect the progression of the club or our spirit during the off-season.”

An appeal for donations, however, has got underway to try to offset the losses.

Joanne Buckley, a coach at Himley Cricket Club, has started an online fundraiser on the Go Fund Me website which has already raised £555 of its £1,500 target.

She said: “Unfortunately, over the weekend the club’s onsite storage was savagely broken into - damaging all of the doors - with expensive equipment taken including the large sit-on roller which is just vital to the groundsmen being able to prepare the outfields. 

Himley Cricket Club's sit on roller which has been stolen (Image: Himley Cricket Club)

“The club is now looking at huge expenses to try and repair and replace all that was damaged and stolen.”

She said the club is widely used by the community and has a membership of around 150 juniors, 50 senior players and 25-plus women and girls.

She added: “I’m hoping we can all pull together and try to raise as much as possible and also hoping to try and upgrade security at the club to try and avoid this happening again.”

Anyone with information about what happened is urged to contact police on 101 or via Live Chat on the force website, quoting incident of 174 of October 21; or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.