MEMBERS of a community football club said they have been left 'absolutely devastated' after 13 years of training equipment was destroyed in an arson attack.

Firefighters said vandals 'deliberately' set light to Clayton Park Rangers Football Club's storage shed on Sunday completely destroying all of its contents.

Yesterday, bosses at the club in Clayton-le-Moors, slammed the vandals saying 'they did not have a clue about how much damage they had actually caused'.

Club chairman, Michael Forshaw, said: “I am mad that this has happened.

“It’s a real shame. If it’s what we think it’s just kids who are responsible.

“They just haven’t got a clue at all of the damage they have caused.”

The club, which was founded in 2004, has around 50 people playing for the club each week in the Accrington District Boys League, the Blackburn and District Combination League and the Harry Dewhurst Memorial League.

Police have since launched an investigation and urged anyone with information to come forward.

The club, which has two adult teams and one under-13's team, was planning to launch more youth teams in the near future.

Club bosses said the shed had contained around £500 of team kits as well as training bibs, cones, goal nets, balls and hurdles.

Gareth Cross, 37, club secretary, said: "The loss of all this equipment is a huge blow.

"There has been a lot of ups and downs over the years because we are a small community club.

"This has been absolutely devastating for us.

"We have been aiming to set up some more teams using the equipment we've been saving but this has put a big dampener on those plans.

"We were looking to move forward and grow the club.

"It's a big challenge getting kids involved with football as it is with the costs and making sure everyone is qualified.

"But we can't thank everyone in the community enough, the support already has been incredible."

Two fire crews from Hyndburn were called to tackle the fire in Chequers, Clayton-le-Moors at around 7.40pm.

Club bosses said they had been left 'feeling overwhelmed' after a fundraising campaign launched to help replace the equipment lost hit £300 in a matter of days.

Mr Forshaw, 42, said: "When I saw the fire I was more shocked than anything else. I didn't know what to do or say.

"I just had to stand there and watch it all go.

"The community response has been really brilliant though.

"It has really shown us how much people in the area care for and appreciate us and what we do."

The club trains at Accrington and Rossendale College during the winter months and play home games at Wilson Playing Fields in Clayton-le-Moors and Pleasington Playing Fields in Blackburn.

Cllr Tim O'Kane, who represents Clayton-le-Moors on Hyndburn Council, said it has been great to see the reaction from the community.

He said: "It is dreadful when these things happen and terrible for the club.

"But it's about what you do when something like that occurs.

"The football club hasn't just sat there and admitted defeat they're working hard to get back out there and keep going.

"The Clayton community support has really pulled itself together, it's phenomenal."

A fundraiser will take place at Clayton-le-Moors Conservative Club on Friday, November 17 from 8pm to raise money for replacement equipment.

The event will cost £5 on the door and will feature a raffle along with a performance from local band The Ranting Lads.

A police spokesman said: "We are investigating an arson in Chequers, Clayton-le-Moors at around 7.40pm on Sunday.

"At this stage no-one has been arrested.

"I would urge anyone with information to call police on 101."

To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/clayton-park-rangers-fc.