A CLUB official has revealed how intruders smashed, removed and disconnected alarms, CCTV cameras and sensors before trashing and flooding a York football clubhouse.

The extraordinary lengths taken to prevent the alarm being raised during the rampage through Hamilton Panthers’ clubhouse on Little Knavesmire - which caused between £5,000 and £10,000 worth of damage - has baffled club secretary, Phil Sanderson.

“It was quite sophisticated,” he said. “They broke into the plant room and turned off the electrics and removed a motion sensor.

“The alarm box at the front of the building was removed. Two CCTV cameras were also removed and a security light disconnected.

“Once inside, they smashed the intruder alarm control box and the fire alarm control box. They ripped fire alarm call point boxes from the wall, motion sensors, and emergency lighting from the ceiling.”

He said the intruders then broke into changing rooms and the cleaners' area, and removed U-bends from waste pipes and left taps running to cause major flooding. They also trashed the kitchen and servery area, along with the storage and cleaners' room, including smashing a fridge’s glass door.

Mr Sanderson said parents had rallied round to clean up the clubhouse, which was now back in use, but fortunately, most of the cost of repairs was covered by insurance, apart from an excess of several hundred pounds.

However, parents and players have been out fundraising with buckets at Tesco’s Clifton Moor store, where organiser Nikki Stephenson works. She said the collection raised £465, with another £50 donated by Tesco.

North Yorkshire Police said a significant amount of damage was deliberately caused when the building was broken into and such crimes, which struck at the heart of communities, were extremely unpleasant.

“It’s difficult to understand how criminals can target something that brings enjoyment to so many people and plays an important role in the community they live in,” said a spokesman.

“We’ve been making inquiries as part of an extensive investigation and we currently have officers working on this incident. However, local residents and other members of the public may have vital information that could move our investigation forward.

“So if anyone saw anything, or has any information no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option one and quote reference 12180151693, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Mr Sanderson, who has no idea why anyone would want to target the club, also appealed for anyone with information as to who committed the ‘senseless’ crime on the night between Tuesday, August 14 and Wednesday, August 15 to come forward.

He said the clubhouse had only opened less than two years ago at a cost of £730,000, and it was used by about 200 footballers aged between seven and 16.