DEVON County Cricket Club has given Plymstock CC a £100 helping hand repairing damage caused by a ‘traveller invasion’ at their Dean Cross home.

The ground was occupied for more than a week by travellers, their caravans and their vehicles, during which thousands of pounds of damage was caused.

Devon CCC’S donation takes the total raised by benefactors and friends to more than £6,000.

Plymstock official still do not know exactly how much all the repair costs will be, but are bracing themselves for the worst. 

Mike Cherry, the Plymstock CC chairman, said clearing up and cleaning-up so far has been a dispiriting task.

“They left all sorts of stuff behind – some of which I cannot bear to even mention – including a broken-down car,” said Cherry.

“The travellers were doing ‘donuts’ in their vehicles on the pitch and the outfield – and leaving very visible tracks behind. Luckily it was during one of the particularly hot periods in the height of the summer, otherwise it could have been worse.

“The door to our net facility was rammed, chemical toilets emptied on the grass and a security gate forced. That was just some of the damage.

“Why they broke into the net facility I do not know. It’s a mesh cage and you can see there is nothing of value in there.”

Cherry said dealing with the travellers and their aftermath had given him genuinely sleepless nights as well as anxiety over the possibility of something similar happening again.”

Although quotes and costs are still being worked out, Cherry said some money would definitely be earmarked for beefing-up security.

“It is hard to know what some repairs will cost as an item you expect to be £200 could suddenly have an extra nought added to it,” said Cherry. “It’s not always just what you can see that needs repairing.

“The ‘invasion highlighted some shortcomings in our security arrangements, such as CCTV blind spots and the need for better bollards on ways into the ground.

“We know padlocked posts don’t work – the padlocks can be cut off with an angle grinder – and we are looking at budgeting for electrically operated ones that can be raised and lowered.”

Cherry said the county club’s donation was the latest generous gesture the club was grateful for.

“We have had donations large and small from friends, strangers, other clubs and organisation – way too many to list individually,” said Cherry.

“To all of them I would like to say a heartfelt thank you for your help. We appreciate it."