A local football club has set up a fundraising page after their new goalposts were vandalised.

Marlow Swans FC was set up in 2020 by Alfie Eckle and Carl Osborne, along with their mum Lorraine Osborne, to help men's mental health through sport during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The management team raised funds to buy equipment, kit, training facilities and to provide a pitch for the club, which now in its second season, is in division three of the Thames Valley Sunday League.

Bucks Free Press:

The funds also meant the club could purchase brand new goalposts for the 2021/2022 season.

However, these were destroyed over the weekend meaning the club will now have to buy new equipment.

The club said on social media: "It's extremely sad to see that some people have felt the need to completely destroy our brand new goalposts for absolutely no reason whatsoever at some post over the last three days.

"If anyone has any information or saw anyone messing around in the corner of the park by Sainsbury's car park, please may I ask for you to get in touch as we are now without goals for our home games and 90 percent of our sponsorship money has been thrown away due to selfish behavior."

Bucks Free Press:

A section of the GoFundMe page reads: "As a local club set up by local people, we depend on sponsorships to stay alive each and every season, with the majority of our funds going towards the new goals for the 21/22 season, we are currently unable to use our home ground at Riley Park for the rest of the season.

"We have kindly been provided a home ground for the rest of the season, however, we are kindly requesting donations to be able to purchase replacement goals and a lockbox to keep them safe and out of reach from vandals.

"We have also agreed to donate 20 per cent of all donations to a charity close to our heart, BUCKS MIND.

"Your donations are greatly appreciated by all of the team."

Bucks Free Press:

At the time of writing, almost £500 has been donated to the club which has set a goal of £1000 on its GoFundMe page.

Since the club was formed last year, over 30 young people have turned out for the team, enabling them to get back socialising and exercising through football following on from the pandemic.

Earlier this year, the club announced that a local employer became its first-ever shirt sponsor.

Whistl, who is based at the Globe Business Park, has been sponsoring the club’s shirt under its local marketing brand, Leafletdrop. 

To donate, please visit: www.gofundme.com/f/raise-funds-to-replace-vandalised-football-goals