We would like to thank everyone for their support, says Deal Town director Phillip Moore

DEAL TOWN director Phillip Moore says the club hope to return to The Charles Sports Ground once  clearance has been given by the authorities, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Kent League club suffered a fire at the ground at St Leonard’s Road last Thursday, which forced the postponement of their home Kent Senior Trophy clash against Corinthian at the weekend.

The new clubhouse and community facility was  completely destroyed and some damage was caused to the adjacent stands, pitch-side hoardings, floodlights and the pitch itself.
Additionally, the ball that was used in the Wembley 2000 FA Vase win and the trophy presented by the Kent County Football Association, have both been lost to the club and to Deal.

The buildings and surrounds are insured with the District Council’s Insurers, but the club endeavour to complete the plan to restore the new clubhouse at the ground.
The club held a meeting last Friday and plans have been put in place to return to normal.

“We met as a board with all stakeholders of the club on Friday and are due to meet again tomorrow to plan for the weekend ahead,” said Mr Moore.

“Until the insurance assessors have looked at the damage we cannot start to demolish the clubhouse and clear the area that will be the first stage to making the ground accessible to the public (getting the necessary certification of safety etc).

“Pitch repairs started on Saturday with a group of volunteers working very hard and we are working on making the electrics in the damaged floodlights safe.

“It is likely that the ground will be usable sometime in the next week or two and hopefully a groundshare will not be necessary but we cannot be sure until the damage is fully assessed.”

Mr Moore confirmed that Derek Hares will send his team to play away to Fisher on Saturday and the vital FA Carlsberg Vase tie at Sussex County League side Horsham YMCA on 22 October.

And he thanked Deal’s neighbouring clubs for their support during such a traumatic time.

Mr Moore said: “We would like to thank the directors at (in no particular order) at Ramsgate, Dover, Folkestone, Hythe, Herne Bay and Margate for the kind offers of assistance and the messages of support from within the Kent Football Community.

“The towns people of Deal have rallied to the cause wonderfully and a Fire Fund bank account has been opened.  All donations will be gratefully received.”

If you can offer support to the club, please contact Mr Moore on 07545 211 121.  Please mention that you read this article on www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

Visit Deal Town’s website: www.dealtownfc.co.uk