SPORTS club members have been left devastated by vandals who repeatedly smash up their ground and equipment.

Yobs have damaged a dug out beyond repair at Little Lever Sports Club in Mytham Road.

They have also damaged other dug outs, signs and fences over the past few weeks.

Alec Bingham, the club’s chairman, has now offered a reward for anyone who can provide the police with information that will lead to a conviction.

Mr Bingham said: “We have been a club for 70 years. The club was there before the houses around it. People have grown up with us.

“A message for the parents of the kids who have done this damage is you wouldn’t let your children do this in your neighbours’ gardens, so don’t let them do it in ours.

“Every Saturday we have two football teams that come to play our teams at Little Lever Sports Club. They will see the damage.

“We are delighted that people say we have a good set-up here, but wouldn’t it be great if everyone in Little Lever appreciated it too?”

He added that damage has also been caused to sponsorship boards. He feared it would cost more than the sponsorship to replace some of them.

Hundreds of people are involved in the club through its 12 junior football teams, three senior football teams and two rounders teams.

Mr Bingham said generations of people in Little Lever have been involved in the club.

The damage is particularly devastating as the club is run by volunteers and is of Football Association charter standard, he said.

Mr Bingham added that people work “tirelessly” to look after the facilities.

Yobs are thought to have got in by climbing over and under fences and through gardens around the club.

Insp Chris Evans, of Bolton South Neighbour Policing Team, said: “We have increased patrols in the area and have been giving it extra attention. Police are aware of the problem.

“The people responsible are destroying the facilities for the benefit of the community and others.

“Anyone with information about crimes should call police and we will follow up any lines of inquiry.”

People with information should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.