AN EASTLEIGH football club has been met with a negative response after making a borough-wide plea to rescue its season.

North Stoneham Football Club is about to kick off the new soccer campaign without vital changing facilities and showers following a mindless arson attack.

Club treasurer Roger Gray issued an SOS to local businesses to make a donation to help stump up about £2,000 to help them refurbish the vital community facilities used by more than 1,000 people from the borough each year.

But he said the club has been left disappointed after receiving no offers of help from major local companies.

He said: "It's been so disappointing.

"I can't believe that community businesses don't want to help out. I'm a businessman myself and when community groups come to us for help, we try and do what we can.

"We were not asking for the full amount from just one company but just something towards helping us refurbish the showers that were wrecked in the fire."

The metal containers used as changing rooms by the club and also a sports store shared by the AC Delco Bowmen archery club were caught in a blaze after archery stands propped up against them were deliberately set alight.

The club showers were new and only recently fitted before they were destroyed in the attack.

Mr Gray said: "We are still determined to make the first match but it won't be the same. It's really a shame that local businesses are not backing something that is of great benefit to the community. It's an opportunity to promote some goodwill with people from the area."

To make a donation, call Roger Gray on 07973 745541.