Doughnuts on a Christchurch City Council-owned field have hit a local rugby league club hard in the pocket

Graeme Thomas has pleaded guilty to four charges, including wilful damage after doing doughnuts in his vehicle on Hornby's Leslie Park in July.

The damage the 39-year-old caused forced local rugby league team - the Hornby Panthers - to play their home games elsewhere for a month.

Hornby Panthers President Brent Tomlinson says the damage left the club struggling to keep afloat.

He says the club targets its home games to fund the club as it's all about bums on seats.

Brent Tomlinson says the recent incident has left a big hole ... and insurance-wise there's not a great deal they can do.