Arsonists strike at cricket club (From York Press)

Arsonists strike at Burton Salmon Cricket Club

8:07am Wednesday 14th September 2011 in York Vale League By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

ARSONISTS have destroyed the changing rooms of a North Yorkshire cricket club, leaving it facing a huge fundraising challenge.

The changing rooms of Burton Salmon Cricket Club, which has been part of the HPH York Vale league since 1994, were burned to the ground by vandals in the early hours of Monday, but members say they are determined to rebuild.

Colin Walsh, club secretary, said: “Our changing room facility has been totally destroyed and with it all our equipment, down to the last bail.”

The blaze at the Common Lane ground was spotted by a policeman who was cycling home from work at about 2.30am, and he alerted the fire brigade who attended but could not salvage the changing room.

Mr Walsh said a bench had been used to smash through the door of the pavilion, which the vandals then ransacked and smashed all the buildings’ windows before damaging the new scorebox.

The club, which has no major sponsor and was relegated to division five of the Vale League last week, now faces a huge fund-raising effort to clear up the mess and get new facilities in place in time for the start of the 2012 season in April.

Mr Walsh asked for assistance from local businesses and other clubs who may have cricket equipment they no longer need to get in touch with him.

Mr Walsh said: “It will obviously take a huge effort for a small club like ours to recover from this but we are determined that this will not be the end of Burton Salmon Cricket Club.

“I hope the publicity through the local press will bring forward some kind benefactors who may be able to help us rebuild.”