Floodlight generator vandalised

Carrick Rangers Football Club estimates the bill for repairs following the incident, which is believed to have taken place over the weekend, could run to thousands of pounds.

In a statement, the Championship 1 outfit said: “The damage was first witnessed on Monday evening when a volunteer from the club was attempting to switch the lights on for the Carrick Rangers Ladies team who train each Monday at Taylor’s Avenue.

“The vandals responsible for the act cut their way through the fence which protects the generator before smashing the glass that covers the control panel and destroying the control panel itself.

“This act not only damages those at Carrick Rangers Football Club but also harms the wider local community who use the facilities at Taylor’s Avenue on a daily basis.

“We would like to ensure the town that Carrick Rangers will continue to move forward and will not allow the reprehensible behaviour of the minority to affect the development of the club.”

The Carrick Rangers FC statement added that police are currently working through the CCTV recently installed at the location.

Police are appealing to anyone with information that may relate to the incident to contact them.

PSNI Area Commander Stephen Reid said: “Local police would like to speak to anyone who knows what happened. If you were around the area of the football ground at any time over the weekend and noticed suspicious activity or noise around the fencing or coming from within the grounds, please contact Carrickfergus PSNI on the non-emergency number 101.”