Arson attack destroys sports pavilion

9:21am Thursday 11th March 2004

A FOOTBALL official has spoken of his despair after an arson attack destroyed a sports pavilion used by hundreds of young footballers.

Arsonists set fire to the club house at Green Dragon Lane, Flackwell Heath on Friday night. Chepping Wycombe Parish Council estimate repairs, including a new roof, will cost £25,000 and believe it might be better to knock it down and build a new pavilion instead.

John Higgins, secretary of Flackwell Heath Minors Football Club, said: "I'm absolutely gutted. I got a call from the alarm company and by the time I got there, smoke was billowing out. We can't use the clubhouse or the dressing rooms now, the whole thing is unsafe and we cannot use it anymore.

"Vandalism here has been going on for two years and has steadily got worse. This is the first time the pavilion has been burnt. Vandals lit fires before but not to the extent they've destroyed the use of it.

"I've said to members of the cricket club that I've been dreading a telephone call one evening to say the club house is on fire and the call came at ten past nine on Friday evening."

The club may also lose revenue as they may no longer be able to operate a tea bar on Sunday morning. Mr Higgins added that an annual six-a-side competition in May which raises more than £2,000 for the club may also be in jeopardy as the changing rooms can't be used. He said that he has had to inform the leagues that the changing rooms can no longer be used at Green Dragon Lane.

Mr Higgins said that a meeting will be held for members of both the football and cricket club to discuss the next way forward. He said they may have to think of ways to raise money.

Brian Day, clerk of Chepping Wycombe Parish Council, said the council was considering a new pavilion as the old one would have been replaced in four or five years time anyway.

He said: "This is devastating for the clubs and the people who use these sports facilities. I just cannot understand the attitude which means this vandalism takes place and destroys facilities enjoyed by people, particularly young people. These vandals need to be found and action taken against them."