Nimans joined soccer legend Gary Lineker in answering an SOS call from Salford United after its changing rooms were trashed, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Paint was thrown around and a swastika daubed on a wall alongside racist graffiti which left dozens of youngsters heartbroken and club officials sickened. Kits and bags of balls were also stolen whilst goalposts and corner flags were snapped and netting wrecked.
The club, founded in 2015, runs 16 junior teams, for boys and girls, aged between five and 12 – and the vandals even tried to start fires inside the small brick unit near the club’s playing fields off Louisa Street in Walkden. In response Nimans has donated £500 to the club’s JustGiving appeal which helped reach it’s £6,000 repair bill target.
Club Welfare Officer and Coach, Mark Crossley, thanked all who have supported the club including Nimans as well as former soccer star Gary Lineker who donated too.
Mark also works at Nimans in IT Development and Support and said: “We have a good committee and good parents around us, but everyone is devastated. The younger kids, those aged five, six and seven, they are the ones that have been hit the hardest.”
Nimans Director David Bennett says the company plays an active role in the local community and had no hesitation in helping out. “As a large local employer with a community spirited ethos, we just hope the club gets back on its feet very soon,” he emphasised. “We are delighted to help the club achieve its target.”