Ardrossan Winton Rovers Archive
Blaze Hits Football Stadium
Club officials vow not to be beaten by vandals
A Fire has caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the main stand and committee room at Ardrossan Winton Rovers football ground.
The committee room has been gutted by the blaze while a large section of the main stand has been destroyed.
Committee members who arrived at the fround on Saturday night as firefighters put out the blaze were left to pick through the charred remains to try and salvage what they could.
Efforts have been made this week by club members to try and clear the debris and secure the building against the weather and further acts of vandalism.
Club Vice-chairman John Sheehan said: "It's very disappointing to say the least; for this to happen when we are carrying out an exercise to devlop the whole facility is terrible."
"We have had occasional trouble with some vandalism and young groups hanging about the ground but this is wanton destruction on another level."
"We are disappointed but not discouraged; we won't be beaten. This may be a setback of six months, or maybe a year but we will continue with plans to develop and create a community facility."
"I have sympathy with the young people here because there is very little for them in the area but this is a community club open to people in this area."
"We would appeal to anyone in the community of any age to contact the police or a committee member if they know anything about what happened; they would be doing a public service if they would help."
Club lose equipment in blaze
Club Secretary Tom Ferrie said: "The main stand has been repaired as best possible after the event but Winton Rovers have lost a considerable amount of equipment with the loss of all the match balls and training balls."
"Winton Rovers main stand has not been in use for a number of seasons due to its condition but this is a major blow to the club which is especially galling as the club has incorporated various youth teams to play under Winton Rovers name, so to see an act of wanton vandalism levelled against the club is disappointing as the club has ambitions to improve the leisure facilities for the whole of the town of Ardrossan in the near future."
Ardrossan Winton Rovers Chairman Sam Morrison said "the fire could not have come at a worse time."
He said: "The members of the club are in the midst of having a feasibility study carried out with a view to developing the ground as a sports and recreational facility."
"At the present time we don't have the money to demolish the stand. What has happened really came at a bad time for us."
Although devastated by the blaze, everyone at the club is determined to carry on with the plans for the future of Ardrossan Winton Rovers as a community club.
"In the last five years this committee has come through a lot to bring the park back." said Mr Morrison. "and we are determined that we are going to do our best to devlop the ground."
"We are part of the community and we have had great support from the town, individuals and businesses and are sure that will continue."
Strathclyde Fire and Rescue and the Police are not treating the blaze as suspicious. It is suspected a firework or cigarette butt could have sparked the fire.
This article has been reproduced by kind permission the editor, Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald.