Car Vandalism Cancels Youth Football on Village Green

Football matches scheduled for England's largest traditional village green in Great Bentley, Essex, were abruptly cancelled following significant damage caused by a car. The incident, which occurred recently, left around 100 young players unable to participate in their scheduled games on Sunday. The chairman of Great Bentley Youth FC described families as "absolutely gutted" by the act, which resulted in two pitches being severely trashed.

The unique 43-acre village green, a popular spot for cricket and community events, sustained "massive divots" from the car's actions. This damage poses a safety risk to players, forcing the cancellations. While the community expressed disappointment, other football clubs have offered to provide pitches for Great Bentley to use during the extensive repair period.

Local authorities are actively investigating the vandalism. Police are reviewing CCTV footage shared by nearby residents, which reportedly shows a car circling the green and deliberately tearing up the grass. The hope is that this evidence will lead to the identification and apprehension of the individuals responsible for the destruction.