Arson victims Rye appeal for help

Rye United Football Club is appealing to the local community for help in its quest to return to its own ground.

The Quarterboys' base at The Salts is currently out of action as a result of the arson attack which destroyed the Sidney Allnutt Pavilion in the early hours of Saturday August 20.

Rye have therefore been forced to search elsewhere for a temporary abode and will play their opening home game of the season some 30 miles away in Tunbridge Wells tomorrow (Saturday).

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The club has invested considerable time and money in getting The Salts to meet the stringent new ground grading requirements for Division One of the Sussex County League.

Chairman Clive Taylor, whose investment in the club includes forking out for a new 50-seater spectator stand, said: "We're desperate to find a way of playing at The Salts."

A structural surveyor has now confirmed, as many expected, that the pavilion - which although still standing was completely ruined on the inside - will have to be pulled down.

A complete rebuild will obviously take some time, particularly as the pavilion lies within a conservation area, so the club is hoping to install temporary accommodation for the time being. The insurance company for the pavilion has said that Rye's policy covers a rebuild, but not temporary accommodation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Taylor is looking into portable buildings, but has so far ascertained that they are vastly expensive. A quote he obtained on Tuesday for five buildings - changing rooms for both teams and officials, public toilets and an entertaining area (all requirements for Division One football) - came out at around 700 per week to rent.

"Whatever we do (in terms of temporary accommodation) we're going to have to finance ourselves," continued Taylor. "We're looking for any form of assistance. If anybody's got any Portakabins, let us know."

After tomorrow, Rye, whose two teams have made splendid starts to the season, are without a home game until Wednesday September 22, although that too may well have to be played away from The Salts.

Last week it looked as though The Polegrove was favourite to stage tomorrow's game, but it has since emerged that Bexhill United's ground isn't available.

One piece of good news for Rye is that the electrics for the floodlights at The Salts weren't damaged in the fire, and the fourth pylon and pitchside barriers are due to be put up this weekend.

Related topics: