Football club in plea to public after storms
A FOOTBALL club has issued a plea for help to the local community ahead of the new football season.
Bacup Borough Football Club have asked for skilled workers, tradespeople and volunteers to come forward - either with a donation or an offer to help.
Brian Boys West View Stadium was damaged heavily by Storm Erik, in February, and Storm Gareth, in March, which saw the changing room block destroyed by high winds and roof debris thrown onto the pitch.
Manager Brent Peters said: “With our stadium positioned as it is so high above sea level, it’s always been exposed to the elements. Bad weather in the Pennines usually finds its way over to us and when Storm Erik hit the UK in February, the results were devastating.
“However, when the full extent of the damage wreaked by Storm Erik became evident, it was clear that we were going to have to launch a major fundraising campaign to cover the cost of all the necessary repairs.”
Club sponsors B&E Boys came to the rescue to repair the roof but the club discovered later that the heating and water installations had been damaged, that extensive plumbing and electrical work would be required and that asbestos removal was also necessary.
Dating back to 1879, BBFC has been established for longer than many Football League clubs but has just a fraction of their budgets.
“Football isn’t just about the money and the glamour of the Premier League,” said Peters.
“Grassroots football and non-league football are massively important too.
“Sadly though, very little of all the money that is swimming around at the top of the football pyramid makes it down to support clubs like BBFC. Maintaining facilities and keeping a club afloat is a real challenge for the majority. And sometimes clubs are dealt hands of cruel bad luck too.”
He said that the club is proud of the place they hold in the local community and are now asking that same community for help.
He added: “We have already received a generous offer to sort out the electrical work. However, we still need to cover the costs of the electrical and plumbing materials. To add insult to injury, the club lawnmower is also broken, and we are in desperate need of a mower to borrow to tide us over.”
If you can help in any way, contact Brent Peters via the club website or by email manager@ bacupborough.co.uk