Police probe launched after 'sickening' fire attack on Scots kids football club
A kids football club has hit out after a fire attack at their home ground as Police Scotland say officers are now investigating the deliberate blaze.
The incident took place at Mintlaw Boys Club's premises in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, on Friday evening and saw a firebug torching storage containers.
The club said the containers have been completely destroyed and that items stored within them, including training and match balls, have also been lost.
The club posted on Facebook on Saturday: "The club is very saddened to find out that last night our container at the Mintlaw pavilion has been damaged beyond repair after being deliberately set in fire, with many items within now destroyed also!
"We are a community club serving youngsters from the village and surrounding areas and this needless vandalism just causes unnecessary work for the club volunteers who already give up an incredible amount of time to help run the club!
"If anyone has any information, please contact the police and hopefully the can catch the persons responsible." The post contained pictures, showing firefighters battling the blaze and the damage it caused.
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Followers flocked to the comment section to pass on their well wishes. One wrote: "This is so upsetting to read. The volunteers at MBC do fantastic work, providing a fantastic service within the community to 100s of kids.
"So much hard work goes into running the club from the committee behind the scenes to the coaches and first aiders providing the opportunity for kids to be part of a team and making friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
"Unfortunately this type of incident is common place with other grassroots clubs having being on the receiving end of vandalism stalling their good work.
"All this good work undone by mindless vandalism.
"Let's hope culprits are caught and the club continues their great work."
And coaches from other clubs offered to help. One said: "What a total sickener. Hope they catch the people responsible. Please drop a message if Peterhead boys club can help out with equipment to get you by in the short term."
Another said: "Soul destroying!! Hope they find who done this and folk pay for the damage." While a third added: "Really sorry to hear this. Absolutely terrible hope none of the kids lose out cause of this. Great club and always a pleasure playing against you guys."
Another wrote: "I am so sorry. No respect for people's things now. The bairns must be devastated everything burned." And several followers asked if they could donate to the team to help replace what had been damaged.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 7.30pm on Friday, 15 August, 2025, police received a report of two containers on fire in the North Street area of Mintlaw. The fire is being treated as wilful and enquiries are ongoing.'
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