A STALWART community football team were devastated after vandalising louts forced them to buy barbed wire to protect their grounds.

Maryhill FC’s stadium has been plagued by youths using the grounds to drink at night.

Glasgow Times: Maryhill FC president Tam Drew stands in front of graffiti left by louts at the stadium Maryhill FC president Tam Drew stands in front of graffiti left by louts at the stadium

Jeff Holmes, the club’s secretary, said: “It’s heartbreaking, we have put so much into the club and we’re working behind the scenes at the moment to turn the club into a real community facility.

“It makes you lose heart when something like this happens.”

Glasgow Times: The community club has been forced to buy barbed wire to keep vandals out of the groundsThe community club has been forced to buy barbed wire to keep vandals out of the grounds

Louts have left graffiti at the club and spilt bags of expensive grass seed in three separate break-ins over the past five days.

We told last week how the club was recognised at this year’s People Make Maryhill awards for their work in the community.

Glasgow Times: Jeff Holmes, the club secretary wants to 'work with' the vandals who he would rather were engaging with the community teamJeff Holmes, the club secretary wants to 'work with' the vandals who he would rather were engaging with the community team

Club bosses have now bought barbed wire to protect the Lochburn Road stadium and are in talks with a CCTV firm about getting cameras installed.

Pressure is growing on the club’s finances after the roof of its pavilion was damaged six weeks ago, ruining the dressing room and the new kit which had been laid out.

Glasgow Times:

“I hate to use the term ‘bored teenagers’ but they are just prowling about at night looking for something to do,” Jeff added.

Glasgow Times:

“We want to include these guys, we would rather they walked in the front gate and work with us and not climb over the fence at night and trash the place.

“We would rather they played football on the pitch or came to watch the games.”

But the proud club will not go to the public for cash to help fund the necessary fixes, Jeff said.

“We did a fundraiser two years ago when we were in real trouble and that really helped us get on our feet but the last thing we want to do it put the begging bowl out again. We’ll take it on the chin and do what we can to make it better.”

The damage was reported at Maryhill Police Station yesterday morning.

Police Scotland was ­approached for comment.