A FOOTBALL club's chairman says the work of vandals makes him think about quitting his role.

Saltney Town Football Club has suffered vandalism at their ground - and has done so dozens of times over the last couple of years.

The club's new 100 seater stand - due to the previous one being ransacked by vandals - has already had seats ripped out.

And club chairman Darren Meredith says the battle against vandals makes him wonder if he wants to do it anymore.

He told the Leader: "We don't have this stand just to show off, it's an FAW requirement to play in the league our senior team is in now.

"The thought of packing it all in has crossed my mind numerous times over the last couple of years.

"It's just heart wrenching to see the hard work put in by people at the club ruined in this way.

"The stand is for everyone to enjoy, not just people coming to watch the senior teams - but for the kids who get to play in front of a stand and their parents who can sit and watch them."

Last week, the club decided to take drastic action in their attempts to quell the vandalism by erecting metal fencing to block the entrance to the stand outside of matchdays.

However, Mr Meredith says fence has already been severely damaged.

The club - out of its own pocket - has also bought a battery powered CCTV camera, costing about £500 along with the fencing.

A race night was held by the club on Saturday, raising over £1000 which was planned to go to Christmas parties for both the junior and senior teams.

But the most recent spate of vandalism has meant that a lot of money raised will go to both repair work and security apparatus.

And Mr Meredith says it is time for the authorities to be 'proactive instead of reactive' and take steps to secure the ground.

He said: "A two meter high fence along the perimeter of the ground would be what's needed.

"It would still allow people to walk their dogs around the outside of the ground and wouldn't cost too much money.

"I know the authorities are strapped for cash themselves so I'm not blaming anybody, but it should have been done years ago."

Mr Meredith has thanked Saltney Town Council for agreeing to donate £1000 to the club at its September meeting - money he says will help cover the cost of the recent vandalism.

Cllr Veronica Gay, club president, said: "It's disgusting, the club is being hung out to dry and made to fend for itself.

"People in Saltney must know who the individuals doing this are, and it's time they came forward and told the authorities."