Arson attack devastates Bridgnorth Rugby Club

A rugby club due to host hundreds of people at games this weekend has been left devastated by a suspected arson attack.

Officials at Bridgnorth Rugby Club today vowed to "beg, borrow and steal" to make sure one its busiest events went ahead.

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A fire ripped through a store unit in Severn Park yesterday morning leaving bosses looking at a potential £30,000 bill.

Steward Ian George said the club, currently celebrating its 50th year, would be welcoming over 500 people this weekend for a junior competition on Sunday while three senior teams were at home on Saturday. Mr George said plans were already in the pipeline to get vital electricity supplies up-and-running.

"The fire involved our store unit on the Severn Park where we store our post protectors, corner flags for the pitches, the white line markers, training bibs, rugby balls, the treatment table and 20 to 30 tackle bags for the seniors and juniors," he said.

"The building itself has been deemed unsafe because the fire was so intense it damaged the entire building. It's a big loss to the rugby club."

Mr George said training would have to be cancelled for a few weeks as the fire had also destroyed the electrical supply to the floodlights.

"During the week we have up to 100 adults training and 200 juniors down there on Wednesday and Thursday nights," he said.

"It's badly damaged the electrical installation and there will be no power to train under floodlights."

Sgt Bob Matthews said it was still too early to say what had caused the fire.