Rye’s clubhouse broken into

Thieves stole a 46-inch television, around £150 in cash, soft drinks and confectionery, and the club estimates the total cost to be in the region of £1,000.

Rye chairman Clive Taylor said: “I’m trying to scrape my chin up off the floor. It’s galling. Just when you think you’re up and running again, something comes and smacks you in the back of the head. I can’t believe the mentality of them (the thieves).”

The clubhouse was opened last Easter after building work began the previous summer. This was the first time it has been broken into and now that it’s happened once, inevitably there are fears it could happen again.

“I really thought we built something that would last, but we’re back to square one again,” continued Taylor, who was particularly annoyed at the theft of the television which was donated to the club by supermarket Jempson’s. “I’m just relieved they haven’t smashed the place up.”

The building was secured last night (Wednesday) and Rye’s first team fixture at home to Shoreham on Saturday will go ahead, weather permitting. Kick-off is 3pm.

See tomorrow’s Rye Observer for the full article.