YOUNG footballers have been left kicking their heels after a mindless vandal trashed their pitches.

Home matches will be out of bounds for Renfrew Victoria YFC for the rest of the month as a result of a yob churning up the grass with his motocross bike.

Club chairman Stewart Wild was horrified to discover the pitches they use in the Kirklandneuk area of town each weekend had been driven over at high speeds.

It means all six matches involving players aged between 11 and 15 have had to be postponed while the damage is repaired.

This is the second time in five months that games have had to be rearranged following vandalism at the pitches.

Stewart believes a small number of youths in the Kirklandneuk area are responsible and has given their details to the police.

He told The Gazette: “Hours spent by volunteers in preparing the pitches so that the games can go ahead this month have been wasted.

“Matches will have to be cancelled until further notice to allow repair work to be carried out.

“This act of mindless vandalism has disappointed all the young people who look forward to playing here every weekend.

“It will be February before they are able to play here again.”

In a previous incident last September, a tournament organised by Renfrew Victoria had to be cancelled after pitches were trashed by four youths on a motocross bike.

Police have urged residents to report anti-social behaviour by calling 101.

Inspector Damian Kane said: “During 2021, we received a number of reports relating to vandalism and damage caused to playing fields at Kirklandneuk.

“Increased patrols were undertaken in the area, including Road Policing patrols, to identify any vehicles driving on the fields and damaging the turf.

“We also worked with our community warden partners, as well as engaging with the local community.

“We will continue to act on any information we receive.”