Mike Bird, a devoted West Bromwich Albion supporter from Wythall, experienced a shocking moment after attending a football match with his two teenage sons. Following the 1-1 draw against Charlton at The Hawthorns on February 24, Mike returned to his 2023 Toyota Corolla parked on Mornington Road, Smethwick, only to find it had been extensively vandalized.
Describing the scene as something out of a Hollywood movie or “Ghostbusters,” Mike revealed that his car had been mercilessly stripped by unknown vandals, whom he referred to as “motor cannibals.” The devastation was so severe that his vehicle remains in a garage and is expected to be written off, with no response from his insurance company yet.
Mike, 54, a long-time season ticket holder, reached out repeatedly to West Bromwich Albion for support but was met with only standard replies. Though his car was not parked on club property, he hoped for some gesture of goodwill, such as a token from the club shop, to comfort his sons, who have been deeply affected by the incident.
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“It’s more the hurt it’s done than the car itself,” Mike shared with BirminghamLive. “The boys have never seen anything like this and now they’re put off football. I just can’t believe it happened.”
The incident echoes similar car vandalism that occurred after a Birmingham City match last December. West Midlands Police are currently investigating the case and have urged anyone with information to come forward.
A police spokesperson said, “We are investigating after parts were stripped from a vehicle parked on Mornington Road, Smethwick, on February 24 between 7pm and 8pm. Anyone with any information is asked to contact us via Live Chat or call 101 quoting 20/159013/26.”
West Bromwich Albion have been contacted for comment.