PETERSFIELD Town Football Club are working flat out to repair the main stand at their Love Lane ground after the roof was blown away over the New Year.

It is believed that gale-force winds uprooted the metal structure and roof, shifting it some 15 feet and leaving only the terraced area and seats.

Club officials have launched an appeal for help because the damage effects the standards required for Evo-Stik Southern League matches.

The 50-seater stand was only erected last year as part of extensive improvements carried out on the ground to ensure it met the FA’s grading standards required for Step 4 football.

Petersfield won promotion to the Southern League after winning the Sydenhams League (Wessex) in the 1914-15 season.

A party of volunteers, comprising committee members, players and supporters, dismantled the structure last Saturday to make the stadium safe for spectators.

As it happed, the ground was left waterlogged after heavy rain and the local derby against Godalming was postponed anyway.

Club officials are asking any local businesses or individuals willing to help to get in touch ahead of the next ground grading at Love Lane. The club hopes the FA will grant them some leeway and allow matches to be played while the damage is repaired.

“To say we are disappointed is an understatement to say the least,” said manager Ian Saunders. “A lot of effort and time was put into getting the ground up to standard last year and now a lot of that work has been undone by this happening. We will start putting the roof back on this week, but none of us are experts in this kind of thing.”

Anyone wishing to assist Petersfield Town can email the club at [email protected] or call 07500 705486.

Petersfield visit top-five side Aylesbury this Saturday.