Flood-hit Nottingham Rugby Club launches fundraising appeal

Nottingham Rugby Club said it was facing "unprecedented times"

Nottingham Rugby Club has launched a fundraising appeal after its ground was badly damaged by flooding.

The club hopes to raise £50,000 after its pitch, clubhouse and training facilities next to the River Trent were affected following Storm Henk.

The club said its insurance would not cover the costs due to Lady Bay Stadium being built on a floodplain.

A major incident was declared along the River Trent last week due to the widespread flooding.

The 147-year-old club, in West Bridgford, said it set up an online fundraising page to help it through a "very difficult time".

"We urgently need financial help to enable us to reinstate our facilities to provide Championship Rugby matches, community training facilities and private events," the club said.

"We're calling on the local rugby community to support us through these unprecedented times for the club."

So far, it has raised more than £17,500 towards its target.

The club hopes to raise £50,000 to repair the damage

Club director Chris Simon said he believed the cost of the damage could be between £50,000 and £100,000, adding it was a "massive setback" for the club.

"There's an enormous amount of work to do, but we'll bounce back," he said. "We've had fantastic support."

The club has been forced to postpone its home fixture against London Scottish on Friday as a result of the flooding.

Head coach Craig Hammond said the players had been looking forward to their first game of the year, but the pitch was "under water pretty bad... it's devastating".

He thanked the local community and players, who had been helping to "salvage" as much as they could at the stadium, as well as the rugby community.

"Lots of people have been rallying around. Helping clear stuff at the ground and financially. We massively appreciate it," he said.

Mr Hammond said players had been able to train at the city's two universities, which he was also grateful for.

He is hoping the ground will be repaired and ready for the Archers' friendly against the British Army on 26 January.

Nottinghamshire County Council said water levels on the River Trent came close to the highest on record from 2000.

Neil Clarke, cabinet member for environment, warned the consequences of the flooding "will be felt for many months".