Work begins on Rye clubhouse

Winchelsea-based building company Jim Soan & Sons Ltd began work at The Salts on Monday, last week, and good progress has been made already.

The footings have been finished, bricks have been laid around the perimeter and it was hoped to start on the exterior of the building this week.

Taylor, chairman of the football club, said: “It’s quite impressive and we’re hoping to have it open for Christmas. There’s a lot to do between now and then, but I’m quite excited about it.”

Although they’ve had to keep to the same footprint as the previous building, the new one - which will be manufactured on site rather than delivered - will look somewhat different.

The changing rooms will be of the size required to confirm to FA regulations for Division One of the Sussex County League and there will be two officials’ changing rooms, the second for any female officials.

It will boast disabled access all-round and there will be a room upstairs, which will probably be used to provide hospitality for committee members at half time, replacing the old cricket scoreboard.

The clubhouse will replace the Sidney Allnutt Pavilion which was destroyed in an arson attack last August, leaving the club without a home.

Through the hard work of several club volunteers, but mainly Taylor, and a partnership between Southern Water and 4Delivery, Rye were able to return to The Salts in late January using portable buildings.

What’s more, Taylor has ordered the second spectator stand which Rye require to meet the stringent new ground criteria and expects it to be in situ by the start of their home fixtures in September.

The full article will appear in tomorrow’s Rye Observer.