A football club that suffered thousands in damage after a suspected deliberate fire has given a hopeful message after launching a fundraising appeal.

Swindon Supermarine Youth FC was “devastated” when a fire burned through training and maintenance equipment on August 28.

But the team has been heartened by the community response as a fundraising appeal for £10,000 has gone some way to recovery.

Mike Ash, club secretary, said: “We never felt left alone, we never felt lonely. There were always people to talk to or to help us.

“If anything it has brought the club, the parent and the committee closer and made us stronger.”(Image: Swindon Supermarine Youth FC)

Wiltshire Police launched a witness appeal after the fire between two storage containers of equipment at the Webbswood Stadium complex around 2.30pm. 

The fire spread inside, damaging the summer tournament apparatus pitch marking kit, as well as the containers themselves.

Four young males, thought to be in their early or mid-teens, were seen running away from the fire area towards the woods in the direction of Sevenhampton.

READ MORE: Boys seen fleeing suspected arson attack at Swindon football club

Mike said: “You just ask the question, why would somebody do this?

“It's upsetting to think people would do it when at the end of the day we are a youth football team and we're there to serve the youth community.

“We don’t know if it was arson or kids messing around, but to do this in a field between two containers is, to say the least, a bit foolish.”(Image: Swindon Supermarine Youth FC)

Police confirmed around £8,000 of damage was done and a GoFundMe for the club reached £1,855 with 31 donations at the time of writing.

Individual donations have gone up to £500, with extra help from many local youth football teams, and a bucket collection at games - raising £140.

“It’s quite heartwarming that people do care and are willing to help in this situation”, said Mike.

“We're very pleased with the way the fundraiser has gone and very thankful for the kind of people that donated.”

The greatest cost will be replacing the storage containers in which the equipment was stored. Mike said the club hopes to make the area more secure in the future.

But day to day, the club carries on. Mike said: “In reality, it hasn't affected us at all. All the games that should have been played have been played.”

If you saw anything, you tell the police on 101 quoting 54240101442.