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THANK YOU - LIPHOOK UNITED FC (30th Jun 2012 - 17:53:12) The members of the football club would like to thank the very considerate people who came up with a new way to occupy themselves. Instead of hanging around outside Sainsbury's or the Co-Op. They decided to keep warm and out of the way by setting the nets of our small football goals on fire. Whoever you are you did a very good job because the nets will cost us £250 and new goals will cost about £1500, but never mind the money from those I will pick from the money trees at the Recreation Ground. There is no way I can go back to those kind souls from local business and the community who raised the money originally. Never mind that our 7 - 10 year old members may not be able to play at the start of the season because the FA insist on goals to the current British Standard. I suppose though you may have helped our volunteer managers because whilst we let down our young club members they could spend the time they give with their families. To all those great and kind hearted members of our community my apologies for my tone in this e-mail but I know that you will understand what a body blow this is to us. All we do is provide a safe environment for our great children to enjoy football but once again we are hindered by those that think it's "a laugh" to wreck other people's hard work. Liphook United FC

Re: THANK YOU - Jane G (30th Jun 2012 - 20:24:11) That is appalling, and I would hope that whoever is responsible has a conscience...but somehow I suspect not! I'm assuming you would need to raise money to replace these (I don't know how funding works for football clubs?)...could you set up a fundraising webpage so that locals can donate something? or maybe a local shop/business could accept donations on your behalf.

Re: THANK YOU - Mark Culverhouse (30th Jun 2012 - 22:02:37) This is a disgrace, at Liphook football club we provide football for over 250 children in our community. this is done by adults giving up our spare time to give these children the chance to play football. We had to raise £2000 earlier this year to keep this football going as the FA states we have to be chartered youth standard to play next year which means every youth manager to be a FA level 1 coach. we raised this by the goodness of the parents and managers giving a day up to support a VET fun day at the rec. Now we are faced with finding a further £1500+ thanks to these mindless fools. This could have been avoided if we had been given permission to build a shelter on the side of the club house to store these goals in or if we had better facilities to store these goals away. If your child plays for Liphook or even if your child does not please start giving your support to us by posting your support to the club to help catch these idiots and to push for better facilities for Liphook United FC who give so much to our community

Re: THANK YOU - Susie (1st Jul 2012 - 08:30:48) This is shocking! Someone must know who is responsible. Jane is right can we have a donation page? As a parent of a player I really appreciate how much time and energy the coaches give to our youngsters. Thank you guys. Let's hope someone does come forward with a conscience.

Re: THANK YOU - Jay W (1st Jul 2012 - 10:45:24) Mark, who refused permission for the stores for the goals? Is it down to the parish council? It's not exactly the most attractive area around the side of the building so don't see a problem there and I'm sure a store around the back (not even visible from the pitches) wouldn't have hurt or was it more than just a store that was requested at the time? Without a store the replacement goals (which I am sure we can achieve between all of us) will be at risk again. Hopefully the parish council (or whoever) can adopt a common sense approach or suggest a suitable alternative.

Re: THANK YOU - Paul Robinson (1st Jul 2012 - 10:48:35) Could this be the work of the same person (persons) who set fire to a Sainsburys supermarket trolly full of rubbish on the recreation ground, and to the plastic litter bin by the little rec, or tipped another supermarket trolly full of rubbish and cement into the water tank of the Bowls Club? Parents, do you know where your children go at night? Now, I know that by making that statement I will have irate posts about the youth of the village being blamed for everything, but I put it to you, what sane adult would do this sort of thing? People of Liphook, wake up, this is your village that is being wrecked. Paul Robinson

Re: THANK YOU - Lorraine (1st Jul 2012 - 12:48:35) Is it possible we could involve the local newspaper, get a group photo of every child that uses the facilities, and there are many (my boys included) tug at the heart strings of the good people of Liphook, and get these goal posts replaced ASAP

Re: THANK YOU - Luke (1st Jul 2012 - 12:54:40) First of all i would just like to point out it might not have been children who have caused this damage. As a youth myself I get quite annoyed with preconcepted stereotypes such as that. As one of the coaches from the club i was extremely dismayed to find the nets burnt and the goals charred from this disgusting attack on our club. Yesterday morning when we went to set up our day of practical sessions so 16 of our coaches could gain level one fa coaching accreditation, we found the goals in a horrible state. To whoever it was who carried out this mindless abuse you really should find something better with your life to do than this. Refering to the original post from LIPHOOK UNITED FC they offer football to great children in the local area, as well as fantastic adults teams, just a thought maybe this would be a better use of peoples time than burning our football goals.

Re: THANK YOU - Doreen Lawrence (1st Jul 2012 - 12:57:09) Yep - you're right, you will get irate posts from parents of teenage children - I think it's a bit hasty to make assumptions here - have you read the recent thread 'Immature Adults' for example??? This could perfectly well have been someone of any age - unfortunately antisocial behaviour isn't the preserve of the young ..

Re: THANK YOU - Jay W (1st Jul 2012 - 13:58:53) Paul, You may well be right but you have only to look at the other thread "immature adults" to know that children may not have been the culprits at all. Let's hope they are caught before someone is injured.

Re: THANK YOU - rita (1st Jul 2012 - 16:38:25) this is a terrible blow to the club. unfortunatly things are getting much worse in the village, vandlisim, litter, throwing things at kids. some one is going to be seriously hurt before long. is it possible for the rec to be shut off at night when not in use? am sure there would be kind hearted parants out there and local business that could help buy new nets. i just find it sad that some people could do this. if it is kids then the parants should be checking where they go when they are not at home. dont quite get why they want to hang around sainsburys or the rec anyway, they have all got homes to go to and all the ones i have seen are always talking about computer games ect.(when they are not spitting or swearing)

Re: THANK YOU - Susie (1st Jul 2012 - 17:52:37) Maybe it's time that we looked at community policing and neighbourhood watch. Although, when I called the police about young adults using the Sainsbury's carpark as a racing track they were quick to come, maybe a more constant set of eyes around the village would be better. Read this link to find out more; www.hampshire.police.uk www.ourwatch.org.uk

Re: THANK YOU - Richard (1st Jul 2012 - 20:40:56) Liphook has a problem with anti-social behaviour that has more than once stepped over the line to criminal damage. Unfortunately my experience of Hampshire Police is that they lack the will to deal with it, hence why these crimes keep on being commited. Perhaps Hampshire Police can answer this challenge and make 2012 the year they do something about this activity in Liphook, instead of finding excuses not to (eg. "It hasn't happened in the last three months so we can't do 'x'"). I understand there is an Inspector responsible for this area, perhaps he would care to let his professional views on this matter be known. And to anyone who has ever witnessed an anti-social behaviour, did you challenge the person to stop it? If you like Liphook the way it is, anti-social behaviour must be challenged, else there will be more incidents like this happening on a more regular occurence. Let's work together to stop the arson, car vandalism, grafiti, etc.

Re: THANK YOU - matt (1st Jul 2012 - 23:17:42) I agree this is unacceptable behavior and I feel for those that may miss out. I do however disagree that there's a major problem with antisocial behavior in Liphook. It may 'appear' to have got ever so slightly worse but the reality is that it remains rare and that's why you don't see Hampshire police in the square every night. Any increase is a reflection of society at large and I believe it's an issue for the community to resolve in conjunction with the police, the council, the schools and any other interested groups.

Re: THANK YOU - Richard (2nd Jul 2012 - 19:40:11) A question...If anti-social behaviour is so rare in Liphook, why is there a thread running about "Immature Adults" and egg throwing? If that is not anti-social behaviour, what is?

Re: THANK YOU - matt (2nd Jul 2012 - 22:49:36) Richard I'm not trying to be controversial but I think you have missed my point about perspective on this issue. It is rare, one or two incidents don't make it a problem, they happen to have come at the same time making it feel worse than it is.

Re: THANK YOU - ck (3rd Jul 2012 - 07:27:55) So back to the point of this thread...... the wrecking of the goals! Personally I am fed up with people making excuses for individuals behaviour! There is no need for anything like this. These goals are used every week and have been invaluable pieces of equipment. Everyone is always saying how proud they are of the village and its football club. Well surely now is the time to do it. The new season is fast approaching and there will be many disappointed children who will be unable to play. The coaches and club work very hard to provide the village with many successful teams not to mention first class care for the youngsters. Anyone who knows the identity of the culprits should do the right thing and report them. The rest of the village who support the club should think about supporting the club financially as well as vocally! We need to get these goals replaced ASAP. LUFC - can you post (no pun intended) the quote for the replacement nets etc on here

Re: THANK YOU - Beth (3rd Jul 2012 - 09:38:07) The damage to this valuable equipment is appauling. If the club would like, we would be more than happy for A3 Sports to be a donation point for people wishing to donate to new equipment. Beth

Re: THANK YOU - ck (3rd Jul 2012 - 12:46:12) Well done Beth, I was actually going to suggest someone from the football club contacted you about being a collection point! Maybe some arty kind person could do a few posters up bringing this to the attention of all the village. I would be happy to ask the schools to add a section in their newsletters.

Re: THANK YOU - Helen C (3rd Jul 2012 - 17:07:38) Maybe the schools could hold non school uniform days in aid of it? 3 schools, with each pupil paying £1, that will get you close if not there!!

Re: THANK YOU - Richard (3rd Jul 2012 - 21:11:36) One of the correspondents advised me to see perspective on the issue of anti-social behaviour in Liphook that only two incident sdid not make it an issue. It is not only two incidents. I have had three cars targeted for vandalism and the repair cost thus far strands at over £5k as one of them needed a total re-spray. From my perspective £1500 isn't a large sum of money compared against what I have been forced to pay out, and no the Police have lost interest very quickly. Over the last few years Liphook has seen more incidences in this type of behaviour (as have many other places), and too often it is seen as a "minor" isssue that is not challenged. Perhaps this incident may help to provide a catalyst to nip this type of behaviour in the bud, and we get the policing that our taxes and Council taxes pay for. It is very unfortunate, tthough, that an activity that should teach kids teamwork, etc though has been disrupted in this way. Let all people of Liphook stand together and stamp out this behaviour once and for all. If you witness this behaviour challenge it. If you feel unable to report it. United we stand...Divided we fall...

Re: THANK YOU - Nosey Rosie (6th Jul 2012 - 12:43:04) Beth, Has a decision been made on whether we can leave donations at your sports shop.

Re: THANK YOU - Liphook United FC (9th Jul 2012 - 00:13:45) Thank you all for your kind comments and support and if you can give me a few days I will be making an announcement regarding the football goals. Many thanks, Liphook United FC

Re: THANK YOU - Liphook United FC (9th Jul 2012 - 15:03:36) Well - even earlier than I had hoped to report back. I am overwhelmed to say that an annonymous benefactor who saw this thread has given us the full amount to replace the goals and nets. None of us expected anything like this but it shows that there are some fantastic kind people out there. We are deeply grateful as there will now be no impact to our football at the start of this season. We could not have asked for more. Alongside this many people in the community had kindly said that they would help out but this time we don't have to ask you for money. Your offers of support were all very humbling and once again we thank you all. With our deepest gratitude and wishing that one day we can thank you in person. Liphook United FC

Re: THANK YOU - Jane G (9th Jul 2012 - 18:47:27) Wow...what an amazing thing to do! There are some amazingly kind and generous people around!

Re: THANK YOU - Jay W (9th Jul 2012 - 20:38:19) Maybe the rest of us could contribute towards a store to keep the new goals safe from future harm?

Re: THANK YOU - Mark Culverhouse (9th Jul 2012 - 22:41:20) As Liphook Uniteds Mini Soccer co-ordinator on behalf of everyone at Liphook United FC and the youth and mini soccer section I would like to pass on a very big thank you to the annonymous benefactor who saw this thread and donated to the club the full amount to replace the mini soccer goals and nets. This is no small amount and it has overwhelmed me to know that we have been supported by this kind person with this donation and the youth section will be able to start their season on time. Thank you to everyone else who has read this thread and shown their support towards the club Thank you again from everyone at Liphook United youth and mini soccer.

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