Clubs rally round after fire attack

Jan 26 2009 by Ben Guy, The Journal

THE non-league football community has rallied round to support a Wearside team that had its changing rooms and equipment destroyed in an arson attack.

Earlier this month The Journal reported how more than £50,000 worth of damage had been done at Washington Football Club.

Firefighters were called to the pitch on Spout Lane, Concord, Washington, at 1.45am to find the home changing rooms and the referee facilities destroyed.

Now other North East sides have offered help to Washington. Among clubs offering the hand of friendship was South Shields, which gave the Northern League Division Two side a spare set of nets, with the team’s supporters club also stumping up £100.

Crook and Tow Law have offered strips, while neighbours Sunderland Nissan and Hebburn have both made their facilities available for friendlies.

“People have been fantastic,” said Washington manager Keith Sheardown. I just wish that the rest of the Washington community could understand the effort it takes to run this club, and see what it means to the three people who’ve kept it going all these years, then maybe they’d respond in the same way.”

Mr Sheardown added that “everything the club owned” was in the changing rooms.

South Shields secretary Phil Reay said the club had been happy to help out.

He said: “It really is a case of Washington’s need being greater than ours. The supporters’ club even asked us first if we’d mind their giving something – we didn’t, of course.”

League chairman Mike Amos said: “We talk a lot about being a fraternity and those people are putting words into actions in a great way.

“I’m very proud to be involved and I hope that others, including the league, may be able to help in some way.”

As well as the first team a number of junior teams also use the fire hit facilities.

Speaking after the blaze, Derek Armstrong, chairman of the club, said it was difficult to know how long it would be before the club could use the facilities again.

Northumbria Police is still investigating the arson. Anyone with any information should call 03456 043043.