“We’ll hit these yobs for six!” - historic village cricket club near Harborough targeted by vandals is vowing to come roaring back stronger than ever

As we previously reported, the intruders are being hunted by police after wreaking damage running into thousands of pounds
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

An historic village cricket club near Market Harborough targeted by vandals is vowing to come roaring back stronger than ever.

The pledge comes after Braybrooke’s cricket clubhouse was systematically trashed by offenders in a daylight attack on Friday June 12.

As we previously reported, the intruders are being hunted by police after wreaking damage running into thousands of pounds.

Wally Panter at Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have vandalised.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERWally Panter at Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have vandalised.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Wally Panter at Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have vandalised. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Cricket club icon Wally Panter, 82, told the Harborough Mail: “This outrageous assault on our beloved club has shattered us all.

“But we will come fighting back.

“We will not be taking this terrible setback lying down.

“We’ll hit these yobs for six!”

Wally Panter at Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have vandalised.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERWally Panter at Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have vandalised.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Wally Panter at Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have vandalised. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

Upbeat Wally defiantly declared: “It would be easy to hold our heads in our hands, sit here and do nothing.

“But we are made of much stronger stuff than that.

“People have played cricket here in Braybrooke for 122 years.

“And we’re determined that our children and their children will be enjoying the sport we all love here for the next 122 years!”

Wally Panter at Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have vandalised.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERWally Panter at Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have vandalised.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Wally Panter at Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have vandalised. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

The village club’s most-capped player, he said they were now preparing to tackle the gang’s trail of destruction – and step up club security.

“We have had a meeting of members and players and decided how we are going to deal with this.

“We are bringing in a builder who lives opposite me to start repairing and rebuilding our clubhouse,” said Wally, who played about 1,200 games for Braybrooke in an incredible 50-year career as an all-rounder.

“I’m sure that our clubhouse will be better than ever when he’s finished.

Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have attacked.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERBraybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have attacked.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have attacked. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“We are also putting up CCTV cameras to try to make our clubhouse and the ground more secure.

“We were set up way back in 1898,” said the retired engineer and farmworker.

“And this is the worst attack we have ever suffered – so we are doing all we can to prevent a repeat.

“The scumbags smashed our doors to get in before destroying all the cutlery and throwing our settees, chairs and tables all over.

“They opened drawers, scattered cricket kit about and ransacked the place.

“It was mindless, wanton vandalism but there’s no way they are going to beat us.

Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have attacked.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTERBraybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have attacked.
PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER
Braybrooke Cricket Club where vandals have attacked. PICTURE: ANDREW CARPENTER

“We have insured our players and taken out public liability.

“But it was going to cost us up to £3,000 to insure our clubhouse and contents and we couldn’t afford it.

“Our season’s been wrecked by the coronavirus anyway.

“But we are still hoping to play a couple of local sides in August or September to round off the summer.”

Northamptonshire Police said they are still hunting the vandals who carried out the shocking onslaught.

If you have any information or spotted anything suspicious please call police on 101 quoting crime number 20000298311.