BUDE Town Football Club are in the process of setting up a fundraising page in order to repair their clubhouse, following a burglary recently.

Police are now calling for witnesses following the break-in. Police were called following reports of a burglary at Bude Town Football Club between 6pm on Saturday, March 2 and 7.45am on Sunday, March 3.

It was reported that the front door had been damaged and smashed to allow access to the property. An internal door was also smashed to gain access into the bar area. It was reported that a number of items were damaged and cash taken during the incident.

A spokesperson from the club said they had been made aware that the club was broken into, during what they believe were the early hours of Sunday morning. They said: “They damaged the alarm system, the ticket machine, the till was smashed, a safe and two store cupboards were raided through. They took about £250 of cash, which we happened to have on the premises that night (not in the till). We normally have absolutely no cash on the premises. They also took about six bottles of spirits. “However, this loss is minimal compared to the damage to the property. It will cost us a significant amount to repair the damage, which includes two new sets of doors, a new alarm system, locks, till, CCTV and more.”

The club is now setting up a crowdfunding page to try and help alleviate some of the financial burden placed upon them. The spokesperson continued: “We were in the process of applying for grants to try and bring the club facilities up to date (the current building and everything in it has been there since its opening in 1988) and buy a new mover as ours broke about three months ago, so we haven’t even been able to properly cut the pitch in that time.

“Our funds are now going to have to be spent on repairing the club with a priority of securing the premises with new and sturdy doors. We are, like many, a grassroots club which runs purely on people volunteering their time, to enable football to be played within Bude town. Any money we make goes straight back into the club to allow teams from u7/u8s to adults male, female and veterans to play on the weekends. We allow other groups and individuals to hire out and use the club, which, again, allows us to be a part of the community.

“We want our club to be used by everyone in Bude as it has been for 120 to 121 years now (1898). This won’t stop us — we will find ways around it, but it is making it difficult for us financially.”

It seems Bude Football Club wasn’t the only club hit by thieves at the weekend, with a spate of burglaries continuing through the early hours of the morning, according to the club. Bodmin Rugby Club experienced a break-in around 1am and Holsworthy Golf Club around 4.30am. At the moment, it is not known for sure if the burglaries are linked.

The spokesperson for Bude added: “We would like to say that the support we’ve had on social media has been wonderful and the community spirit of Bude really has been apparent. Thank you to everyone for their help so far.

“But if anyone has any information or saw anything, contact the police and the secretary of the club, Richard Pinkus on 07885 901 017. Also, if anyone has any knowledge and can help us secure the building, particularly to prevent this happening again in the future, that would also be great. Please contact Richard.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CR/019222/19.

Shortly before the alledged break-in at Bude’s football club, the police were called to Holsworthy Golf Club, following reports of another burglary of a similar nature.

The incident was reported to have happened between 2am and 7.30am on Sunday, March 3.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson said: “It was reported that an unknown offender had gained access to the premises by smashing the front door. A number of items are believed to have been damaged and some cash taken.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident and anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting CR/019216/19.