A NON-LEAGUE football club is calling on the community to come together and save its local team.

Crooks equipped with bolt cutters stole thousands of pounds worth of equipment in a late-night robbery at Hullbridge Sports’ Ryan’s Heating Stadium last month.

Among the items stolen was drainage equipment taken on trial just a matter of days earlier.

The club is now hoping to raise £10,000 to cover the costs of repairing and securing the premises following two break-ins within a fortnight.

Darren Manning, Hullbridge’s manager, said: “During the pandemic, everyone has shown how community-minded they are and we need our community to come together.

“It’s a case of us asking them to come and save their local club.

“It is amazing to see everyone putting money into the pot, but it was difficult for us to ask for help.

“The club has never done anything like this before and we didn’t want to do it, but our hand has been forced.

“We have been shown support already and it’s amazing to see. Words cannot express how much we thank those who have donated.”

Hullbridge’s Crowdfunder has raised close to £1,500 so far and Manning insists the break-ins have put plans to transform the stadium on hold.

Manning, whose side was enjoying its first ever season in the fourth tier of non-league football when the coronavirus pandemic brought the country to a halt, added: “Improving the security of the stadium is massive for the club and we want to make it as secure as possible.

“That is vital for us. We initially had plans to add more seats in the stadium – taking the total up from 90 to 150 – because that is a requirement in the Isthmian North league, but we have had to dip into that fund because of the break-ins.

“We need to make sure the ground is what it needs to be, but we have to prioritise this now.”

Hullbridge is rewarding those who donate £100 with a season ticket, while £25 will result in being entered into a raffle to win a signed West Ham United shirt.

To donate, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/hit-by-recent-break-ins