A football club's chairman said he arrived at a scene of "devastation" after vandals caused more than £10,000 of damage to the clubhouse.
Bill Bratt discovered the damage at Stone Town FC's base on Old Road in Stone, Staffordshire, last Tuesday.
He said the perpetrators appeared to have broken in through the ceiling before throwing paint around and causing damage to the windows, furniture, TV, cupboards and chairs.
Staffordshire Police confirmed it was investigation the break-in and said inquiries were continuing.
Bratt told BBC Radio Stoke: "I couldn't believe it, to be perfectly honest.
"When we went in there, it was devastation. There was paint everywhere, the ceilings had been kicked in, the cupboard had been broken apart... It was just total devastation really."
The vandalism came after thousands of pound were invested in the clubhouse over the last six months, covering provision such as changing rooms and the installation of showers, lighting, carpets and the TV.
Bratt said it was likely to take about a month to repair the damage and players would have to get changed elsewhere in the meantime.
He said: "In 50 years, we haven't had anything like this."
Despite the impact on the club, Bratt said he did not want to see the vandals prosecuted if they were children.
"If they're young kids, which it seems they are, I wouldn't like to see them prosecuted because you don't want a criminal record at that age," he added.
"I wouldn't like that to happen if they're kids but I would like them to come to see what damage they have done and probably help to clear it all up."
A fundraising campaign launched by the community has since raised about £3,500 and Bratt said many people had been in touch to see how they could help.
"It's been marvellous," he added. "I've really been taken aback by the generosity of the public, firms and individuals who want to come and help."
Staffordshire Police confirmed officers were called to the clubhouse at 16:20 GMT last Tuesday following reports of a break-in.
Forensic investigators attended the scene and officers' inquiries were continuing, a force spokesperson said.
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