A FOOTBALL club plagued by teeny vandals has decided: If you can't beat them, get 'em in!

North West Counties League club Darwen FC plans to form junior soccer teams for troublesome youngsters - who are causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to the historic Anchor Ground, the club's home since 1899.

The situation has reached crisis point after two months of constant vandalism by children aged between eight and 14, which has drained more than £4,000 from club coffers.

Young thugs have caused damage to turnstiles, nets, seating, perimeter fences and the pitch - and the vandalism has threatened vital general upgrading to the ground.

Chairman Kath Marah is now devising a plan to start Under 16s and 14s teams in an attempt to put an end to the problem for ever.

She said: "The idea is to instil some pride into these youngsters, get them off the street and at the same time pick up some promising new players for our future years. We really need the local community to take an interest to make the club stronger."

"It's all very frustrating," said Mrs Marah. "It is the groundsman who bears the brunt of most of it. He's a volunteer and has to sort out the mess these mindless vandals make."

"The worrying thing is that the ground has to be up to scratch otherwise we risk being kicked out of the league. Although the new children's teams are only in the planning stages it's an idea which may just help. And we hope they will eventually be as successful as our under 18s team."

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