£20,000 tractor theft puts Newton Abbot grassroots youth football club at risk

A youth football club near Newton Abbot is appealing for help after thieves stole essential groundskeeping equipment, putting training and matches for more than 140 children at risk.

Ogwell Youth FC, which is run entirely by volunteers, supports boys and girls aged between five and 16 from the local area. 

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The club says its tractor and grass-cutting equipment were stolen during an overnight break-in, with losses estimated at around £20,000, and the theft being discovered as children were arriving for training.

A club spokesperson said: “Our youth football club is run entirely by volunteers and supports over 140 local children aged 5–16. For many of them, this club is more than football, it’s a safe place to belong, build confidence, make friends, and stay active.”

The stolen tractor is used to maintain the pitches and keep them safe for play, and Ogwell Youth FC had recently spent around £8,000 on repairs and maintenance to keep the machinery running safely, making the loss even harder to manage.

“This tractor is essential, not a luxury,” the spokesperson said. “Without it, we simply cannot maintain our grounds, and without safe pitches, football stops.”

The club, which relies on modest subscriptions, small grants and community fundraising, said it cannot absorb a loss of this scale on its own. 

Volunteers are concerned that without replacement equipment, training sessions and matches could be cancelled.

“If we are unable to replace this equipment and repair the damage, the consequences are heartbreaking, the club said.

“Training sessions may be cancelled, matches may be called off, and 140 local children could lose their football community.”

The break-in has been reported to police under crime reference number 50250318380, with the stolen vehicle described as a Kubota tractor and grass cutter, model BX231 Turfs, and an estimated 338 hours on the clock.

A public fundraising appeal via GoFundMe has been launched to help cover the cost of replacing the tractor, repairing damaged storage facilities and keeping the pitches playable, and at the time of writing has raised nearly £1000 of its £10,000 target.

Volunteers are also asking residents to come forward if they see a grass-cutting tractor being sold cheaply or offered under suspicious circumstances.

“Every donation, no matter the size, truly makes a difference,” the club added. “If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing the appeal. It means more than you might realise.”

Ogwell Youth FC is based near Denbury and has served the local community for many years, providing grassroots football in a safe and supportive environment.