A community pavilion used by Alyth AFC has been left badly damaged by an early morning blaze.
Fire crews were called to the Diamond Jubilee Park shortly before 6am on Saturday after receiving reports of a fire in the area.
Police are keen to track down four male youths wearing dark clothing in connection with the incident.
Alyth AFC club president Dave Barclay said the damage to the pavilion, which was undergoing a renovation that was nearing completion, was a “depressing” sight.
He said: “There’s been a lot of work and effort gone into it recently to upgrade the facilities and the renovations have been ongoing.
“We weren’t far off getting the new showers and facilities and these are not just used by the club but the whole community.
“And now that’s been turned right on its head so it’s really depressing.
“It back to scratch and I don’t know where we go from there.”
‘It could have been absolutely devastating’
The blaze meant the club was forced to cancel the legends friendly scheduled to take place on Saturday.
However the club president says he is thankful no one appears to have been hurt following the fire.
“Fortunately it would appear that the lady who stays in the house next door and her family were not effected,” Mr Barclay said.
“It could have been absolutely devastating.
“From a club perspective, we are just way to start the football season.
“We were going to be having a start of season event at the park today.
“That’s usually quite a good community event but we have had to cancel unfortunately.”
Police hunt for four male suspects
Police Scotland is looking to trace down four male youth in connection with the fire.
A spokesperson said: “Between 3:30am and 6am on Saturday 29th July 2023 the Diamond Jubilee Park Pavilion, Losset Road, Alyth was set on fire causing extensive damage.
“The suspects are described as four male youths all wearing dark clothing and one male has ginger bushy hair.
“Anyone with any information that may be useful should contact Tayside Division on 101 or any police officer, quoting the crime reference number CR/141435/23.
“Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Four crews called to the scene
At its peak, four fore appliances were sent to the scene.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “We got the call at 05:53.
“At that time we sent two appliances and then at 06:06 we sent of further two.
“One appliance was sent from the Alyth station, two from Blairgowrie and one from Kirriemuir.
“The last appliance left the scene at 08.28.”
