Hooks pulled out and damaged backboard

[chris101]

My son accidentally pulled out the hooks within the coats cupboard by force when trying to get his coat out.
The backboard is MDF and is around 2cm thick.
Are there any ways of repairing this and getting the hooks in the same location or would we have to install the hooks in a new location now that the existing location is damaged?
What would be the best way of securing the hooks again so they will be more secure from future accidents?

 

[JohnD]

Pull the cupboard out from the wall

Attach a batten to the back (glue will do)

Drill pilot holes, and use longer screws, so the screws go into the batten.

If you have people prone to wrenching on clothes hooks, use small screws that pull out easily.

 

[foxhole]

Doubt it’s that thick if a child pulled it out .
Glue in a baton of timber and fix thru both surfaces, hiding current damage .No need to remove cupboard.

 

[chris101]

Pull the cupboard out from the wall

Attach a batten to the back (glue will do)

Drill pilot holes, and use longer screws, so the screws go into the batten.

If you have people prone to wrenching on clothes hooks, use small screws that pull out easily.

Thank you for your response.
Should have said the cupboard is sadly fitted into the wall so cannot be pulled out

 

[JohnD]

Fix the batten to the inside wall. It will need glue and half a dozen screws to spread the load.

Paint it white first.

Use screws that are long enough to go through the batten and into the back, for your hooks.


Edit
Same as foxhole said

 

[chris101]

Thank you for all the responses.
For the batten - what screws can I use that are strong enough/heavy duty and long enough to go through the batten, back board and into the plaster board/bricked wall?

 

[Why Not Indeed]

The chances are that if it's long enough, it's strong enough. You'd have to pick something with an exotically small gauge to have a problem.

 

[mattylad]

what's behind it?
You will have to make a small hole through so you can insert something like a knitting kneedle to push and see how far back the wall is behind the board.
Once you know that depth add 2" and then you know how long to make your screws.
Perhaps get the ones that have long plugs on them that you push into the hole with the screw.