Clach closing in on Grant Street Park return thanks to fundraising fans
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BOSSES at an Inverness football club which was devastated by fire are hopeful of being able to return to their home ground by the beginning of next month – thanks to a fundraising drive by fans.
The blaze at Clach’s home ground, Grant Street Park, started in the laundry room on Christmas Eve and caused extensive damage to the changing rooms and boardroom.
Since then the club has been unable to host home fixtures with two games postponed and two staged at Canal Park instead.
It has prompted supporters to launch two appeals to help pay £5000 for temporary facilities, which are at Highland League standard, and bring the Lilywhites back home.
A Help Get Clach Back Home campaign, organised by the supporters’ trust, was launched on February 1 and has so far collected £1450, and this is now being bolstered by die-hard Clach fanatic Billy Corbett, whose personal fundraiser has pulled in £2800 in a matter of days – taking the total to within £750 of the target.
Among the donations to the 64-year-old’s efforts was a cheque for £500.
The Highland Council painter and decorator has held a number of roles within the club over the years – from being the team boot boy when he was at primary school to being club director until a few years ago.
“Having had this love affair and long association with this great club for so long I decided to do my bit,” he said.
“I thought the collection would complement the supporters’ trust fund – we are all working together.
“I am quite chuffed getting more than £2500 inside just five days.”
He is planning on taking part in the Inverness Half Marathon next month and any sponsor money raised will also go to the club.
Clach chairman Alex Chisholm hopes to be able to get temporary arrangements in place in time for Clach’s next home match, which is against Formartine United on March 4.
“That’s our target,” he said. “Any money that comes in is all going towards getting us back home.
“I think we can do it and that is what we are aiming for.”
Mr Chisholm said they had been in discussions with loss adjusters and they were calculating various costs brought about by the fire – including loss of business.
The club has three home matches currently scheduled next month.
League secretary and treasurer Rod Houston, who was part of Clach’s management team for three seasons, said they would be delighted to have the club back at its home ground and added: “Everyone around the league is with them and wants to help them where they can.”
* To make a donation either visit bit.ly/38I3IX5 or bit.ly/2HCAld0
Related article: Clach fans launch online fundraising appeal so games can be played at its ground again
