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Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Sophie Finnegan

County Durham football club 'devastated' after mindless vandals trash popular food kiosk

A football club in County Durham has been left "devastated" after mindless vandals completely trashed its popular food kiosk.

Crook Town AFC discovered last Friday that its widely popular 'Only Food and Sauces' kiosk had been broken into and smashed up causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Club chairman and treasurer Vince Kirkup said it looked like someone had "thrown a grenade in and shut the door" after vandals smashed up appliances and thrown food everywhere.

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Vince also said the brazen vandals also had "the cheek" to help themselves to bacon sandwiches and cans of pop from the fridge during the utterly mindless attack.

In total, Vince guesses the attack caused around £4,000 worth of damage and has now set up a fundraising page to try and raise some money to go towards the repairs.

The damage caused to Crook Town AFC's food kiosk (Crook Town AFC)

He said: "It was just mindless. Even if they stole the applicants and left the place tidy we could start again, this is just utter devastation.

"To think someone has such little thought for the club and the community to do such a thing. It doesn't bear thinking about."

Vince believes the attack happened on Monday (January 31), but because the vandals pulled down the shutter, it wasn't until Friday that they discovered the destruction.

He said: "On Friday our secretary went in and saw the devastation. It looked like someone had thrown a grenade inside and shut the door.

The damage caused to Crook Town AFC's food kiosk (Crook Town AFC)

"Once they finished eating they smashed the freezers and the fridge, smashed the doors off the sink units and kitchen units.

"They tried the till but there wasn't any money in it so they smashed that too.

"They set the fire extinguishers off, threw food, smashed the appliances. They threw coffee powder all over, they tipped the oil from the deep fat frier onto the floor.

"And not satisfied with that, they squirted tomato ketchup and brown sauce all over.

"They even left the oven on and our secretary thought there was a fire because of the heat he felt walking in."

The popular kiosk is run by Angela Thompson and is her "pride and joy" with Vince saying it's more than just a place to grab food for the fans, players, and officials.

He said: "The food is very good but it's a social focal point, people gather there to have a chat with a cup of tea or whatever they fancy.

"The kiosk was pristine. Angela who runs it treats it like her own kitchen, she takes such pride in it.

"Everything is always in order and we got a 5-star rating from the local authority.

Angela Thompson has thanked donors for their support (Crook Town AFC)

"Ground hoppers who visit stadiums across the county always comment on the quality of the food and service.

"It's got a long history and it's a real focal point at the ground. It's a very welcoming place for travelling fans whether we win, lose, or draw it's always the same and the kiosk is a big part of that."

But despite the devastation, Vince said the local community has rallied around the club and so far more than £2,600 has so far been raised.

Vince said: "It shows that in adversity, there are good people out there, people like ourselves who are doing the best for the club and understand how we feel by what's happened."

Durham Constabulary is investigating the incident and confirmed enquiries are ongoing.

If any money is left over, Vince said it will be donated to charity.

If you would like to donate to the Go Fund Me page, you can do so here.

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