A football coach in Bolton has hit out after his team's pitch was damaged by bikers once again.

Jeff Berry turned up to do a pitch inspection at the Green Lane playing fields on Saturday morning.

But he found that a bike had been on the pitch causing extensive damage.

The heartless actions meant that the junior team of the Old Rivingtonians FC was unable to play in the morning and the adult team could not play in the afternoon.

Mr Berry's team had recently had an uptick in form and had not played at home for a few weeks.

But the damage meant they were unable to play and due to Christmas and New Year will not play there again until early January.

Volunteers will have to work to repair the pitch.

The club has been struck before and others in Bolton have also reported similar damage.

Mr Berry said it was "disheartening" and "mindless."

He said: "All of our games were called off.

"A couple of years ago we had a car on our pitch.

"This season we have had a few incidents on that pitch.

"The next game will be on January 6, it is going to be down to volunteers to get it right.

"It is disheartening.

"We try to keep the area as clean as we can.

"We have a container which is a changing rooms, it has been vandalised.

"We are all just volunteers."

He added: "The Moss Bank pitch has also been hit.

"It seems to be a problem across Bolton.

"Horwich St Mary's have had issues a while back.

"Blackrod was damaged last season. It is just mindless."

"I do not know what can be done, maybe just a bit more security for pitches.

"We pay good money to the council for use of the pitches and we can't use them.

"The lads just want a game of football."

Earlier this year Turton FC was also vandalised.

Bikes have also damaged a pitch in Breightmet.

Police in Bolton have previously cracked down on off-road bikes.

If anyone has any information contact police on 101.