A non league football stand ended up being partially crushed with the roof torn off due to the heavy gusts of Storm Darcy in February.
Hitchin Town, who are members of the Southern League Premier Division Central, uploaded a video to their social media account, showing the state of the damage.
They wrote on Twitter: ” JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT…
“…things couldn’t get much worse.
“Our Fishponds Road stand roof has literally been torn off by the strong winds.
“We’re just thankful nobody was hurt!”
😩 | JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT…
…things couldn’t get much worse.Our Fishponds Road stand roof has literally been torn off by the strong winds.
We’re just thankful nobody was hurt! pic.twitter.com/uGN7SHvumt
— Hitchin Town FC (@HitchinTownFC) February 8, 2021
Like most of the country, the North Hertfordshire based market town was hit with snow, ice and heavy wind, causing a wide range of weather and flood warnings.
Times are already tough for clubs, especially at non league level, with no football being played at bills still needing to be paid out.
There has been no correspondence this week from either the Southern League or the FA regarding the outcome of the 2020/21 season, and the decision won’t be coming immediately either.
Hitchin have been busy completing the necessary paperwork to make our claim to the government’s Winter Survival Fund. This is an £11 million fund which is available to the 850 clubs at step’s 3 to 6 in the form of grants rather than loans.
They will now have to fix the damage to their football stand crushed with the roof torn off, fans in turn then reacted with sympathy but also asked how they could help…
Sorry to hear your troubles in what’s already a terrible time. Good luck from all at @HerneBayFC in restoring the roof. Loved the ground when we visited. pic.twitter.com/pNlSe36m2k
— Tony Hom (@TonyHom33) February 8, 2021
@NorthHertsSam: Oh cripes! This is not great.
@MarkSmithBD: Ah, heck!
@Borochat: £100s of improvements etc. On a serious note, hope it’s not a tough fix!
@Tertiuswood: Not what the club needed.
@Jonnyhibberd: Sad to see at Boro’s neighbours at Top Field. Sure not alone in saying more than happy to chip in when the fundraiser goes live.
@Lardyda44: This is terrible news….
@BradHicks20: Sorry to hear lads, hopefully someone can fix you up a new roof soon @StevenageGooner
@RussWWFC: A real shame, the vile weather vandalising an iconic ground.
@TudorsClub: One of the few stadiums left with a bit of proper character and a popular away day for the @tudor_army; good luck @HitchinTownFC getting the stand repaired
@Park2Prem: Sad to see – enjoyed my visit back in 2011. It seems in recent times if vandals don’t cause damage to a local club/ground ……… then the British weather will.
@NorthHertsSam: What can we do to help?
@steveLIVS: Bloody Hell @HitchinTownFC – Hope that’s not going to be too much trouble to get sorted.
@hitchinnewsie: Sorry to see that but as you say glad no one was hurt.
@EdCallowWrites: Gutted to see that. Glad everyone’s OK
@Webby_Dan: Not the Kop end 😱
@lukedonnelly7: Luckily all that money was raised
@WillHelmsMan: @JackWilshere help!
@hertscooke: Ive often wondered how that roof used to stay on! Sorry to hear this. Difficult times
@thebiggooseman: To be fair it’s been hit with enough shots….
@Danny_D_Pearson: @Cristiano any chance of a few Euros?
@wisbechtownfc: A year ago tomorrow #StormCiara had a similar effect on one of our stands. Hope you get it sorted quickly.
As Wisbech mentioned, their stands also suffered the same state.
Footage was uploaded by the Northern Premier League Division One South East club showing off the damage that the Elgoods Brewery Fenland Stadium suffered.
The side hosted Carlton Town less than 24 hours before the getting the stand blown down and lost 1-0, now they are dealing with a much bigger problem.
The total cost of repairs was thought to be more than £20,000.
— Wisbech Town FC (@wisbechtownfc) February 9, 2020
Secretary Spencer Larham told PA news agency: “Our north stand has been completely destroyed.
“It’s been there 10 years – since the stadium was built – and has survived stronger winds than this but it was the direction which did the damage.
The identical stand at the other end is completely undamaged.
“I’ve spoken to our chairman Paul Brenchley and he says we’re looking at £20,000 minimum to remove and replace that stand.”
Fenland Stadium was built in 2010 and hosted its first match in August of that year.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login