A NON-LEAGUE County Durham football club has told of its devastation after vandals trashed its food kiosk, causing thousands of pounds of damage.
The fan-favourite ‘Only Food and Sauces’ kiosk at Crook Town AFC is a key asset to not only the Northern League Division One side and its supporters but also the community.
However, club staff are now counting the cost of the damage after vandals broke in, smashed kitchen appliances, and threw food and drink all over the ceiling, walls, and floor.
Leaving a trail of destruction behind them the damage was described as like throwing a grenade in and shutting the door.
An online fundraiser for the kiosk’s renovation has already raised more than £2,500 but the club has already lost out on hundreds of pounds of vital revenue.
Club chairman Vince Kirkup said vandals struck on Monday evening, but it wasn’t until Friday when the damage was discovered at The Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground.
“The devastation was huge,” Mr Kirkup told The Northern Echo. “Everything was smashed: microwaves were done in with a hammer, deep fat fryers were damaged, the cookers were smashed.
“They tried the till to see if there was any money in it and then smashed it on the floor.
“There’s food up on the ceiling and they’ve thrown coffee, sugar and ketchup all over the walls.”
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The brazen vandals even made themselves bacon sandwiches while inside the kiosk, leaving some bacon rashers behind on a griddle.
Fire extinguishers were also discharged all over the kitchen, adding to the damage already caused.
Durham Constabulary is investigating the incident.
Mr Kirkup added: “The policeman said, ‘I’ve been doing this for years and this is the worst I’ve seen’.
“Everything that could be broken they had smashed. It was just utter devastation.
“You’d think somebody had thrown a grenade in and shut the door."
The popular kiosk is Angela Thompson’s pride and joy. Not a Crook home game goes by without her working out of the kiosk serving fans, players, and officials.
Angela’s dedicated care and attention she puts into the kiosk has been praised, meaning it is always in a “pristine” condition.
“It’s not your typical football tea hut,” Mr Kirkup added, “it’s like somebody’s house.
“It means more than just a burger and chips to the supporters.
"Angela has a lot of pride in what she does – she loves it. When she came down she was devastated.”
The temporary closure of the kiosk meant it was out of action for Crook’s game against Whitley Bay on Saturday.
Mr Kirkup said: “It’s a social, focal point on a matchday. The food is really good and it’s a gathering point. It’s more than just a money maker, it’s a social place.”
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The damage caused by the vandals was described as a “hammer blow” for a club which was also affected by Storm Arwen and Malik in recent months.
But donations have flooded in for the community club, with one anonymous donor contributing £1,395 to the fundraiser.
Speaking of people’s generosity, Mr Kirkup said: “The response has been absolutely amazing, which shows what the club means to the community and our supporters.
“Supporters were going on social media and asking how they could help and there’s people from all over who know what we do in the community who have donated – it’s uplifting.”
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-with-only-foods-and-sauces-repairs.
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