A FOOTBALL club fears it is being targeted by someone with a "personal vendetta" after weed killer was sprayed onto its pitch.

Five huge patches of scorched turf appeared last week on the pitch at Stoneclough AFC's home in Brook Street, Kearsley.

Club chairman Peter Stone said the damage was pointed out to him by some schoolchildren playing on the ground on Friday.

Stoneclough, who play in the West Lancashire League, have two senior teams and host a match every Saturday.

Mr Stone said they will be able to continue, but will have to use sand to make their playing surface safe as no grass weed will take hold now winter sets in.

Mr Stone said: "We know that this is not just kids larking about as they would not go out and buy some weed killer.

"Somebody has planned this and knows exactly what they are doing. It's as if we've been targeted.

"This will not regrow now."

The damage must have been inflicted between Stoneclough's home match on Saturday, November 8 and Mr Stone discovering it on November 14.

Cllr Liam Irving, who represents Kearsley, said he could not understand why anyone would want to damage the pitch and promised that the council would help the club out.

He said: "I can't understand why anybody would want to do this. It seems like it is a personal vendetta against the club.

"It is absolutely terrible and I have said to Peter that the council will do everything to try and help the club through this."

Mr Stone added: "We have had lots of support lately and have got some really good young players here, not to mention the fact the pitches are used by schools.

"This act is hurting the whole community, not just the football club.

"Parents of some of the kids who play here will be horrified when they see this."

Stoneclough were founded in 1986 and lease the Brook Street ground from Bolton Council.

PC Aimee Abram, of Bolton South neighbourhood policing team, said officers would investigate.

She said: "We will investigate this and try to help the club the best we can.

"Hopefully this will make people in the community aware that this sort of behaviour is not tolerated.

"Anyone with information should give us a call on 0161 8565608."