These things are sent to test our resolve, says Folkestone Invicta chairman Mark Jenner

A number of Kent football clubs are paying the price following last night’s storm that battered the county.

Folkestone Invicta have been told to close their Cheriton Road ground after parts of the main stand roof blew away.

Chairman Mark Jenner said: “Very sad to see that though it may prove to be a blessing as we could not use the stand without extensive repairs which are beyond our means.

“The current situation is that the council have closed the ground until the debris have been cleared and any loose or hanging panels have been removed.

“Hopefully we can get that done by Saturday but the weather may do for us by then anyway.

“In the short term if looks like demolition is the only answer on safety grounds and us softies who sit there will have to go all fresco.

“These things are sent to test our resolve. We will not be beaten.”

Mr Jenner has appealed for well-wishers to help the club’s first team manager Neil Cugley after Christmas to help with the clear up.

The chairman said: “Neil is organising a work party for Friday morning to retrieve and clear up the roof panels so that hopefully the stand can be made safe for the game on Saturday so if anyone can spare an hour or two please turn up.  Your club needs you.”

Mr Jenner said he will contact Ryman League officials over the festive period regarding their troubles.

“I will deal with the League in due course to arrive at a sensible solution. They are not normally obstructive in such circumstances and work with clubs to find a solution.”

Southern Counties East Football League clubs Cray Valley and Deal Town – and Conference South side Tonbridge Angels - have posted photographs on twitter to reveal that their pitches have been flooded.

Cray Valley’s Badgers Sports Ground in Eltham was due to stage Erith Town against Phoenix Sports on Saturday and Deal Town’s game against Ashford United is also in extreme danger of being called off.

A brief statement from Cray Valley said: “Our thoughts are with the people whose homes behind the goal were also flooded.”

Tonbridge Angels have launched an appeal for well-wishers to help clear the flood and storm damage at Longmead Stadium at ten o’clock on Friday morning as the club battle against the elements to face fourth-placed Eastbourne Borough on Saturday.

Kent police have evacuated Tonbridge town centre after the River Medway burst its banks.

Herne Bay’s game against Whitstable Town on Boxing Day was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch following at 3:15pm pitch inspection at Winch’s Field today.

The match has been re-arranged for Tuesday, 4 March 2014.

Bromley are confident that the eagerly-awaited showdown against Ebbsfleet United will go ahead at Hayes Lane on Boxing Day.

It’s the biggest game at Hayes Lane since Bromley beat Billericay Town on penalties to win the Ryman Premier League play-off final in 2007 and Bromley are expecting their largest crowd of the season with at least 1,200 fans expected to flock through the turnstiles.

Mark Goldberg’s side lead the Skrill South table by ten points going into the game against third-placed Ebbsfleet United.

Bromley have won their last eight league games, conceding one goal and have now gone 562 minutes since Joe Welch conceded a goal in Conference South football.

Ebbsfleet United are thirteen points behind their Kent rivals and Steve Brown’s side secured their record ninth win on the bounce with their 2-0 win over Sutton United at Stonebridge Road at the weekend and hold the slight physiological advantage after knocking Bromley out of The FA Trophy, winning 4-1 at Stonebridge Road on 16 November.

Bromley owner, Jerry Dolke, said earlier: “We’re just having a major sweep up around the ground as the drains could not cope.”

But club secretary, Colin Russell, provided better news later on in the day by saying, “The pitch is currently fine, tidying of surrounds on-going, but should be ok.”

But it’s good news for Thamesmead Town, as their home clash against fellow Ryman Premier League strugglers Cray Wanderers, is set to go ahead on Boxing Day.

Manager Keith McMahon said: “It’s playable now so Boxing Day’s game against Cray Wanderers looks ok.”

Sittingbourne secretary John Pitts said their home game against Faversham Town will go ahead at Woodstock.

He said: “Some damage to Sittingbourne’s ground but it will not stop the game.  We got off lightly compared to some.  Sittingbourne’s match at home to Faversham Town on Boxing Day looks like it will be on.”

Maidstone United, who have lost their last two away games, have advised fans to arrive early for their home game against Margate on Boxing Day, which goes ahead thanks to their 3G pitch.

And your editor faces a financial blow this Christmas after a large roof tile flew off the roof and crashed into the conservatory below, smashing a pane of glass, which has yet been repaired due to no glazers being available in Tunbridge Wells on Christmas Eve.

Last Updated: 19:45 – 24/12/2013

Southern Counties East Football League club Cray Valley suffer flooding at their ground in Eltham after last night’s big storm.
Photo: Dean Barnes