Ogwell Youth Football Club left reeling after £20,000 equipment theft

Ogwell Youth Football Club has become the latest victim of a modern scourge in grassroots sport.

The volunteer-run youth football club supporting more than 140 local children has been left facing an uncertain future after thieves stole its tractor and vital groundskeeping equipment in a devastating overnight raid.

The club, which provides football for children aged five to 16, says the loss of equipment — estimated at £20,000 — threatens its ability to continue training sessions and matches. The theft comes at a particularly painful time, as the club had only recently spent £8,000 on essential repairs and maintenance to keep its grass cutter operating safely.

The crime was discovered early in the morning, just as children were arriving for training. What should have been a routine football session quickly turned into a scene of shock and heartbreak for young players, parents, and volunteers.

“This club is about far more than football,” a club spokesperson said. “For many of our children, it’s a safe place where they feel they belong, build confidence, make friends, and stay active. To see their faces when they realised what had happened was incredibly upsetting.”

The stolen tractor is not a luxury, the club stresses, but a critical piece of equipment needed to maintain safe, playable pitches. Without it, volunteers cannot cut the grass or prepare the grounds, making it impossible to host training sessions or matches.

Run entirely by volunteers, the club relies on modest player subscriptions, small grants, and community fundraising to survive. Club officials say the scale of the loss — combined with recent repair costs and damage to storage facilities caused during the theft — is far beyond what the club can absorb alone.

Without urgent financial support, the consequences could be severe. Training sessions may be cancelled, fixtures could be called off, and more than 140 local children risk losing their football community altogether.

The club has now launched a fundraising appeal to replace the stolen tractor and essential grounds equipment, repair damaged storage structures, and ensure pitches remain safe for children to play.

“Every donation, no matter how small, will make a real difference,” the spokesperson added. “This club exists purely for the benefit of local children, and we are determined to keep it alive for those who rely on it.”

Those unable to donate are being encouraged to share the appeal to help spread the word and rally wider community support.

As grassroots football continues to face growing financial pressures, volunteers hope the community will come together to protect a club that has long been a cornerstone of local youth sport.

You can help support the club on their GoFundMe page.