Car set alight in ‘deliberate act to sabotage the pitch’
Kim Horton Senior Reporter and William Telford Business Editor
21:29, 26 Jul 2025
The aftermath of the arson attack at Bristol Manor Farm FC where a car was driven onto the pitch and set alight causing an explosion(Image: Bristol Manor Farm)
Staff and supporters of Bristol Manor Farm Football Club have been left “devastated” and “heartbroken” after an arson attack caused thousands of pounds of damage and put new-season home matches in jeopardy. Police and fire crews were called to the NL Services Stadium in Sea Mills, also known as The Creek, late on Friday night (July 25) after a car was driven onto the pitch and set alight in one of the goalmouths – “exploding” into flames.
The club said the attack, which happened just hours before a home match was scheduled, had been a major blow on the eve of a new season. A club statement said: “What should have been a joyful home fixture day quickly became one of shock and heartbreak for our entire community.”
The arson, which happened between 11pm and midnight on Friday, July 25, came two hours after an earlier vandal attack on the ground, in Sea Mills. Two young men and two young women were captured on CCTV spraying graffiti, containing “negative” slogans.
Club chairman Jon Line said the two incidents may be linked and thinks the arson was a deliberate attempt to prevent the Southern League club playing home matches. Saturday’s game against Avonmouth had to be switched to the opposition’s ground and Mr Line is concerned The Creek may not be playable for the first home game of the season against Willand Rovers on August 9.
He said the damage could run into thousands of pounds and the club has set up a fundraising campaign on the JustGiving website, hoping to raise £5,000 following what the club called a “devastating act of vandalism”. Mr Line said: “This was horrendous. What these people did with a car was a deliberate act to sabotage the pitch for the next few weeks.
“It was not soulless vandalism. The car incident was a deliberate attempt to restrict us from getting on with our lives and earning money. We would have made cash at today’s game and sold drinks behind the bar”
He said it is believed the car was driven to the end of the ground near the River Trym and then reversed onto the pitch. It went into the goal area and was set alight, destroying a section of the playing surface, goalposts, and nets.
“There was a big explosion,” he said. “People in the flats in Sea Mills saw it. The fire service and police were here.”
Bristol Manor Farm’s stadium The Creek(Image: Google)
He said an investigation is now underway and police have CCTV footage of the graffiti scrawlers. He said: “I think there are two young males and two young females. The females were painting slogans.”
Mr Line said it is difficult to quantify the damage, especially if it prevents the club playing money-spinning home games. He said: “It burned the goalposts and they cost about £2,500 to replace. It also burned the goal nets and damaged the pitch. I’m meeting the groundsman tomorrow to see what he can do about it.
“We can’t play here until the safety of players is guaranteed. There may be glass or shrapnel there. And it’s difficult to know how we can get the pitch ready by August 9 or the start of the season. Home games give us money.
“And we will have the job of removing the graffiti tomorrow.”
Supporters at Bristol Manor Farm pictured well before the arson attack on the football ground(Image: Bristol Manor Farm)
Bristol Manor Farm was founded in 1960 and currently plays in Division One South of the Southern League: the eighth tier of the English football pyramid. The club has recently appointed a new manager and has several new players.
Mr Line said that everyone associated with the club had been “devastated” by the vandalism – but that it had made them resolve to bounce back. The team recovered to beat Avonmouth 2-1 and Mr Line said: “It (the vandalism) saddened us, we were a bit down to start with, but it has actually brought us closer as a club. We are trying to live in a cohesive community and build this club.
The JustGiving appeal stressed that Bristol Manor Farm is “more than just a football club” and is also a “community hub, a place for families, volunteers, and fans who give everything for the badge”. It said the club has worked to “create something the local area can be proud of” and said: “This setback won’t stop us. But we need your help.”
It is asking for cash to repair the pitch and playing surface, replace the goalposts and nets, and enhance security and protect the ground.
It said: “No donation is too small – every penny helps us get back on our feet quicker. Let’s come together, show what Bristol football is all about, and get The Farm fighting fit again.”
Bristol Live WhatsApp Breaking News and Top Stories
Join Bristol Live’s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Bristol Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.