AN Eastleigh football club faces a race against the clock to salvage its new season after an arson attack destroyed its changing room facilities.

As reported by the Daily Echo a fire swept through two metal security containers that had been converted into changing rooms and a sports store on the football ground at North Stoneham.

The facilities are shared by the Concorde North Stoneham Football Club and the AC Delco Bowmen Archery Club at the ground directly opposite the Concorde Club in Stoneham Lane.

But the fire which destroyed changing room and shower facilities is threatening the start of the season for the football club, which has two men's teams in the City of Southampton Sunday Morning League.

The bill for replacing the facilities could be as much as £10,000 but club chiefs are hoping that a generous benefactor might step forward with financial help.

Club treasurer Roger Gray said: "We have 50 registered players and a boy's team also use the pitch and changing room facilities. Under FA rulings we have to have changing room and shower facilities. Without these the club might have to rent pitches elsewhere but that would stretch an already tight budget."

Mr Gray branded those responsible for starting the blaze as mindless louts and added: "They probably do not realise the consequences."

With the first league game on September 5, the club is already urgently looking at ways that they can get the changing rooms ready before the new season starts. Anyone who can help should ring 07973 745541.

Meanwhile Eastleigh police have appealed to anyone who saw a vehicle or people entering or leaving the site prior to the fire to contact them on 0845 045 4545.