MERSEYSIDE’S oldest rugby club was severely damaged by fire this morning following an arson attack on the main stand.
A wheelie bin was alledly set alight on top of the stand at Liverpool St Helen’s rugby club.
The wheelie bin melted and hot plastic dripped down to a storage area causing substantial fire damage.
President of the 151 year old club Ray French said: "The damage is mainly underneath the stands in the store room which is two thirds damaged.
"We have lost jerseys, crockery and much more. Luckily it didn't spread to the other third where our tractor and other grounds equipment is stored.
"There is a fair bit of damage to the girders and the shutters which may have to be replaced but it is too early to tell."
A member of the public driving down the East Lancs road saw the fire and called the fire brigade at 3.38am.
The two fire crews that attended tackled the blaze for over an hour before handing the incident over to the police who sealed off the crime scene.
