Clean up starts after arson attack

The EVO-STIK NPL First Division North club's main stand, pictured, is understood to have been gutted after being targeted by arsonists. Nobody was believed to have been injured in the major incident which was attended by the emergency services soon after 7.30pm.

Club officials posted their thanks on Facebook and Twitter to the emergency services and well-wishers sending messages of support after three crews from the Fire Brigade took more than an hour and a half to bring the blaze under control and dampen down the wreckage.

Boro tweeted: “There was an arson attack to our main stand tonight. Luckily nobody hurt. Many thanks to fire service and kind words. Tomorrow we’ll assess.”

Messages of support for the club have been pouring in on social media since Sunday night. Aaron Flanagan, the Mirror journalist and son of Curzon Ashton manager John Flanagan and regular guest on the EVO-STIK NPL Show podcast, was one of the first to break the news and post pictures of the scene.

He said: "Feel sorry for everyone at @radcliffeboro tonight, as their main stand was set alight. Cruel experience for a club on a shoestring budget."

Ramsbottom United tweeted: “Sad to hear that @radcliffeboro main stand was set alight tonight. Hope the damage isn’t too bad. All the best from Rammy. #nonleaguefamily.”

The NLP Group, representing more than 5,000 fans of EVO-STIK NPL clubs, posted: "The Best wishes to @radcliffeboro after a severe Arson attack has destroyed the Lodge End stand tonight."

The Boro, who lost 1-0 at home to Burscough on Saturday, are meant to be hosting West Didsbury & Chorlton in the quarter-finals of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy on Tuesday night. For the latest news, fans are advised to visit the club's official website at www.radcliffeboro.com.

Images courtesy of @aaronflan & thenomadtravellinggrasshoppers.blogspot.co.uk

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