THE third floodlight fire to hit a club in three years struck as it suffered its first defeat of the season.
Marine FC’s lights at the Arriva Stadium, Crosby, are 35 years old and are due to be replaced next summer if the club raises the necessary £100,000.
Tuesday’s blaze struck after the Evo-Stik Premier side played Northwich Victoria.
Emergency fire services were called, the electric supply to the floodlights was switched off and the fire went out on its own.
Marine Chairman Paul Leary said the installation of new lights was top priority, adding: “This is a critical situation for our club. Had the fire started during the game we would have had to evacuate the stadium and the game would have been abandoned.”
