VANDALS sent 150 children's soccer dreams up in smoke last night. Arsonists torched a storage cabin belonging to Bromley Cross junior footballers causing £3,500 damage and wrecking goal posts, nets, flags and a lawn mower. And now the cash-strapped Bolton club says the youngsters' season may have to be shelved because it has no money for replacements.

Chairman Andy Barker told the BEN: "The kids so look forward to their football, but matches will have to be scrapped for weeks.

"Things like this make you feel like packing it all in."

The arsonists - believed to be youngsters themselves - struck at 7pm starting a fierce blaze at Bromley Cross's junior base near the Watermillock pub, off Crompton Way, Hall i' th' Wood.

The site - used by 150 children and five teams for kids aged between 10 and 13 - had already been vandalised and daubed with graffiti six times in just two years.

But Mr Barker - himself a fireman at Farnworth station - said he could not believe how low the yobs had stooped in their latest attack.

"We survive on a shoestring," he said. "But we'll try to carry on and raise the cash for the sake of the kids."

Firemen from nearby Bolton North station, Crompton Way, spent an hour tackling the blaze as fierce flames leapt from the building.

But the £1500 steel storage cabin - also containing building material to improve Bromley Cross's senior base in John Street - was destroyed.

"There was nothing we could do," said sub officer Mick Gannon.

"It's a tragedy when people work so hard and get rewarded like this."

Now Bromley Cross, which is only partially insured for its loss, is appealing for anyone who can provide a lawn mower, goal posts, nets, pitch-marking equipment or a new cabin.

"At the moment we can't even cut the grass let alone play a game," said Mr Barker, aged 36, of Astley Bridge.

Call Andy on 300998 if you can help.

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