Wrexham,North Wales - Football club built up by Wrexham youth worker Coco blighted by vandals

Published date: 02 November 2015 | 

Published by: Staff reporter
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AN APPEAL has been launched to preserve the legacy of a much-loved youth worker.

Football club FC Queen’s Park are looking to increase security at their ground on The Dunks, Caia Park, to protect it from vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

The club’s home was built by former secretary Darren ‘Coco’ Roberts, a popular and inspirational youth worker at the Venture who died aged 31 in a car accident two years ago.

Queen’s Park manager Martin Ford said staff, players and fans have become frustrated that the ground Coco helped build is being trashed by vandals.

He said: “Last week we found a drugs needle in one of the dugouts.

“Often we’re finding needles, beer cans, some filled with urine, and other things – it’s disgusting for the players and people who come to watch.

“We need to do something. The community council have also been on to us about tidying it up.

“I’ve spoken to Cllr Malcolm King, so it looks like we could apply for some funding from them to do it.”

He added: “We don’t want to alter the dugouts because they were built by Coco and are part of his legacy

“People feel very strongly about that around here, so what we want to do is get a couple of iron gates to keep people out.

“Hopefully, they would keep the ground secure, and if we can restore and paint the dugouts as well, to the standard they were in when Coco built them, we’d be chuffed.”

Coco died the day after being involved in a crash on the A541 at Afonwen, near Caerwys in Flintshire.

Originally from Spring Lodge, Caia Park, he was living in Caerwys at the time of his death.

Mr Ford said: “This is for him as well as us, and a couple of ex-players have already come forward to offer help.

“If anyone can give us a quote for the work, or wants to help as well, they can inbox me on Facebook.”

In August vandals left tyre marks, glass and debris on the pitch.

Mr Ford added: “A lot of people put a massive amount of time and effort into running this club, and we are determined not to let others spoil it.”