Farsley Celtic chairman’s car vandalised after game

Farsley Celtic’s chairman Paul Barthorpe had his car attacked following his side’s FA Cup defeat to Kettering on Saturday.

The game was played at the neutral venue of Guiseley’s Nethermoor ground due to stalled work on laying a new 4G playing surface at Farsley’s stadium.

Mr Barthorpe’s car was criminally damaged and also had the windscreen smashed, but the club’s owner says two fans were apparently caught on security and CCTV footage carrying out the vandalism.

Posting on Farsley Celtic’s Facebook page, Mr Barthorpe asked the culprits to come forward to discuss a plan to ‘replace the damaged items, and a method of diffusing this situation so we can move forward together, and your identity will remain anonymous.’

He added: “Or alternatively don’t, and we will submit the video evidence to the police and look to pursue a conviction and claim for damages. We will also permanently ban the individuals concerned from all future Farsley games both home and away.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson confirmed the matter was being investigated and said in a statement: “Police received a report of criminal damage to a motor vehicle reported to have taken place on The Sidings, Station Road, Guiseley, on Saturday October 12.”

The club has come under fire from sections of the fan base following delays to laying the new pitch at The Citadel. The club says ‘unforeseen problems’ were discovered after removing the grass surface and there have been issues with contractors.

National League chiefs have also placed Farsley Celtic under a transfer embargo for ‘non-compliance with league financial regulations’, a charge the club says is down to ‘a contractual issue surrounding a particular clause in the new FA contract’.

Farsley Celtic’s National League North clash with Spennymoor Town will now take place at Bradford Park Avenue’s Horsfall Stadium this Friday at 7.45pm. The match cannot take place at The Citadel due to delays with the new pitch.