Posted by Dusan Popratnjak, 7/30/09 at 11:17:30 PM.

Aldridge Rugby Club.

Scorces of teams offer help after base is destroyed in arson attack.

Bosses at an arson hit Aldridge rugby club have been offered a new temporary home to ensure they can kick off the new season.

Aldridge Rugby Club has been offered the use of playing and changing facilities at neighbours Veseyans in Little Hardwick Road,Aldridge.Scorces of teams have stepped forward to support Aldridge after a blaze caused thousands of pounds of damage to the clubhouse.The fire ripped through the changing rooms and bar area destroying kits and equipment worth more than £5,000.

Offers of help have included a £5,000 loan from the North Midlands RFU,£500 worth of playing kit from NBS Rugby and two strips from Moseley.Playing kit,tackle bags and balls have all been donated from Essington,15 balls from Ian Bletcher the RFU's  coach development officer for West Midlands West along with tackle bags and balls from Lordswood Dixonians and £100 from Shrewsbury.

Now neighbours Veseyans have offered Aldridge use of their playing and changing facilities until they can get temporary facilities in place at Bourne Vale.

Officials have thanked the rugby community for their support since the 52 year old building was destroyed.

Chairman Alex Reed said "On behalff of Aldridge RFC I would like to  expressour gratitude to all those who have called to offer support,equipment or facilities.Without so many generous offers we would not be in a position to guarantee that we could start the upcoming season and therefore the survival of the club.

An Arson attack which completely gutted a rugby clubhouse in Little Hardwick Road,Aldridge has been slammed as 'despicable' by police chiefs.

Fire engines arrived at Aldridge Rugby Club on Little Hardwick Road at around 2.30am on Wednesday to tackle a blaze which destroyed the entire clubhouse interior.

Hours later, players woke up to distressing calls and texts informing them that their club had little more than the outer walls left – erasing decades of memories in the process.

"I'm gutted," said Aldridge RFC player Nick Jones.

"I've been playing there for 11 years and it's just devastating." 

West Midlands Police are working with fire investigators, who have confirmed the fire was started deliberately.

"This was a despicable attack on a building that is regularly used by the local community," said Inspector Jan Legget, sector Inspector at Aldridge.

Sandra Large, cook and bar manager at the club, believes everything can be put right with a little help from the community.

She said: "Any support or contribution from the members of the community would be really appreciated at this time."

Aldridge RFC officials believe the Bourne Vale-based clubhouse will need to be bulldozed and rebuilt from scratch.

Mrs Large, who has worked for the club for 25 years, said that despite the destruction of the blaze, club life will go on.

She added: "Of course the club will continue with the games and will still be training, but unfortunately without the facilities of the club for the foreseeable future."

The fire also claimed bags of rugby kit and equipment such as tackle bags and balls.

Aldridge RFC regularly fielded three teams last season – with their first team playing in the Midlands 6 West North division.

Police are appealing for anyone with any information about

     (The former club house in Bourne Vale)

     (Police investigate the scence)

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