Largs Thistle called in the police after vandals set fire to the home and away dug-outs, and caused other damage to the stadium.

Club president Martin Phillips was furious that the state of the art pitchside area for the community was vandalised.

The damage could have put Saturday’s opening league game in doubt if it had spread.

Police patrols are now expected to be stepped up around the stadium, in Brisbane Road.

Martin said: “The away dugout is badly damaged, and the damage outside the home dug-out is irreplaceable.

“They have tried to set fire to both areas - these are mindless teens who have come and tried to wreck it. There were broken bottles on the terracing, and this could have caused damage or injury.

“I remember a couple of years ago kids trying to set fire to polystyrene cups in the centre circle - it is beyond a joke. The club came away with a victory over Shotts on Saturday - but if the glass had got into the pitch, there wouldn’t have been a league game.” Committee men managed to pick up the broken glass, but the Thistle president said it has been a growing problem, with youths climbing over the fencing and accessing the park.

Martin pointed out that it is a community pitch, which was kindly given to the town by the Weirs, after their Euromillions win three years ago.

He added: “This is the first real piece of vandalism that there has been. It could have caused a lot of serious damage and injury, not just to the kids themselves, but the adults too.

“If anybody wants to play in the park, come and talk to the club, and book it.”