21:29, 26 Jul 2025<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_IMG_6947jpeg.jpg\")
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)<\/p>\n
Staff and supporters of Bristol Manor Farm Football Club have been left \u201cdevastated\u201d and \u201cheartbroken\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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: \u201cWhat should have been a joyful home fixture day quickly became one of shock and heartbreak for our entire community.\u201d<\/p>\n
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 \u201cnegative\u201d slogans.<\/p>\n
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<\/a> had to be switched to the opposition\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n He said the damage could run into thousands of pounds and the club has set up a fundraising campaign on the JustGiving website<\/a>, hoping to raise \u00a35,000 following what the club called a \u201cdevastating act of vandalism\u201d. Mr Line said: \u201cThis was horrendous. What these people did with a car was a deliberate act to sabotage the pitch for the next few weeks.<\/p>\n \u201cIt 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\u2019s game and sold drinks behind the bar\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a big explosion,\u201d he said. \u201cPeople in the flats in Sea Mills saw it. The fire service and police were here.\u201d<\/p>\n He said an investigation is now underway and police have CCTV footage of the graffiti scrawlers. He said: \u201cI think there are two young males and two young females. The females were painting slogans.\u201d<\/p>\n Mr Line said it is difficult to quantify the damage, especially if it prevents the club playing money-spinning home games. He said: \u201cIt burned the goalposts and they cost about \u00a32,500 to replace. It also burned the goal nets and damaged the pitch. I\u2019m meeting the groundsman tomorrow to see what he can do about it.<\/p>\n \u201cWe can\u2019t play here until the safety of players is guaranteed. There may be glass or shrapnel there. And it\u2019s difficult to know how we can get the pitch ready by August 9 or the start of the season. Home games give us money.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd we will have the job of removing the graffiti tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Mr Line said that everyone associated with the club had been \u201cdevastated\u201d 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: \u201cIt (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.<\/p>\n The JustGiving appeal stressed that Bristol Manor Farm is \u201cmore than just a football club\u201d and is also a \u201ccommunity hub, a place for families, volunteers, and fans who give everything for the badge\u201d. It said the club has worked to \u201ccreate something the local area can be proud of\u201d and said: \u201cThis setback won\u2019t stop us. But we need your help.\u201d<\/p>\n It is asking for cash to repair the pitch and playing surface, replace the goalposts and nets, and enhance security and protect the ground.<\/p>\n It said: \u201cNo donation is too small – every penny helps us get back on our feet quicker. Let\u2019s come together, show what Bristol football is all about, and get The Farm fighting fit again.\u201d<\/p>\n Join Bristol Live\u2019s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone<\/strong><\/p>\n Bristol Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose \u2018Exit group\u2019.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_Bristol-Manor-Farm.jpg\")
Bristol Manor Farm’s stadium The Creek(Image: Google)<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_OJ4A6282jpeg.jpg\")
Supporters at Bristol Manor Farm pictured well before the arson attack on the football ground(Image: Bristol Manor Farm)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_WhatsApp-Phone.jpg\")
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