THE derelict club house and changing rooms of the former Croydon Athletic FC have been destroyed by fire.
Fire broke out at the Keith Tuckey Stadium off Mayfield Road in Thornton Heath last night at around 11.30pm.
Michael Thomas, Norbury fire brigade blue watch manager, said there was "100 per cent damage" to the roughly 20m by 30m building.
He added the fire was under control by half past midnight, with crews remaining at the scene until 6am.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the fire brigade and police.
Watch manager Thomas added: "The chances are it was deliberate because it is a derelict building."
No injuries were reported.
The grounds are owned by Croydon Council and were leased to Croydon Athletic FC, which folded in 2011.
AFC Croydon Athletic, formed last year by fans of Croydon Athletic FC, has long been in talks with the council to play at the grounds.
Its chairman Paul Smith told the Advertiser today: "It has always been our wish and continues to be our wish that we will go back there, but clearly that has taken a knock as a result of the fire.
"The building had been damaged and was not useable [before the fire] in any case, but clearly it was there and standing and that is no longer the case.
"We will continue to be talking to the council in the hope of being able to return there at some stage."
A spokesperson for Croydon Council said the clubhouse was insured and "we will be restoring it via an insurance claim."
She added: "[Croydon Athletic FC] surrendered the lease back to the council a few months ago and while it will remain a sports ground, any detailed plans have yet to be decided."
Fire broke out at the Keith Tuckey Stadium off Mayfield Road in Thornton Heath last night at around 11.30pm.
Michael Thomas, Norbury fire brigade blue watch manager, said there was "100 per cent damage" to the roughly 20m by 30m building.
He added the fire was under control by half past midnight, with crews remaining at the scene until 6am.
The cause of the fire is being investigated by the fire brigade and police.
Watch manager Thomas added: "The chances are it was deliberate because it is a derelict building."
No injuries were reported.
The grounds are owned by Croydon Council and were leased to Croydon Athletic FC, which folded in 2011.
AFC Croydon Athletic, formed last year by fans of Croydon Athletic FC, has long been in talks with the council to play at the grounds.
Its chairman Paul Smith told the Advertiser today: "It has always been our wish and continues to be our wish that we will go back there, but clearly that has taken a knock as a result of the fire.
"The building had been damaged and was not useable [before the fire] in any case, but clearly it was there and standing and that is no longer the case.
"We will continue to be talking to the council in the hope of being able to return there at some stage."
A spokesperson for Croydon Council said the clubhouse was insured and "we will be restoring it via an insurance claim."
She added: "[Croydon Athletic FC] surrendered the lease back to the council a few months ago and while it will remain a sports ground, any detailed plans have yet to be decided."
