A COMMUNITY has rallied round a football club that has been regularly targeted by burglars.

Redcar Town Football Club's training ground was raided three times in a matter of weeks last year, but more than 50 volunteers have dug deep to smarten up its main pitches.

Ian Enderwick, the club's community liaison officer, said the turn out at the Mo Mowlam Memorial Park showed there were more good people in the local community than bad.

He said: "The club is in the heart of the community and we work together with as many people as possible to make sure that everything is in good working order. We have more than 50 people here helping us to dig the weeds, plant trees and paint the buildings."

As well parents and youngsters connected with the club, local borough councillors showed their support, while Sainsbury's donated money to help pay for the trees to be planted along the perimeter fence of the ground which is on the Trunk Road, next to Redcar Fire Station.

Almost 20 teams, from under seven boys to two adult teams and two under ten girls' teams and a ladies team, take advantage of the ground and facilities throughout the year.

Mr Enderwick said: "During the regular season the different teams are playing here on a weekend and during the summer months we host four or five tournaments, so the ground is used all year round.

"As part of my role, I speak to the residents whose homes back onto the field and we have delivered a newsletter to them so that they know what is going on throughout the year."

Speaking about the burglaries that caused so many problems for the team last year, he said the first attacks occurred on June 9 and 11, followed by a third break-in on August 5.

As well damaging the doors when breaking in, the burglars stole footballs – all with Redcar Town written on them – along with Redcar Town medals, training equipment and sweets.

He added: "Thankfully, we have had no further problems since last year ,but the turnout today, shows what this club is all about - the community."