Club's future threatened by fire

The club was founded in 1901

A County Durham town's football club is facing financial ruin after a Christmas Day fire destroyed its club house.

More than 20 firefighters battled for almost three hours to bring the fire at the home of Spennymoor United under control.

However, the interior of the 200-seater club house was gutted.

The fire is thought to have been started by a discarded cigarette.

Firefighters were called at about 0500 GMT on Christmas Day.

Strong winds blew dense smoke into nearby streets and houses and firefighters had to move two families from their homes as a precaution.

Club owner Benny Motram said the site was not insured.

Uncertain future

He said: "I had tried companies that I know from other business to get them to insure it as a football club.

"The only thing we had was liability for spectators and the players.

"But they were reluctant to insure it as a football venue. It seems to be one of those things where it was just hard to get it insured."

The Unibond League club, which was founded in 1901, now faces an uncertain future.

Club secretary Brian Boughen said the incident could spell the end of the club.

He said: "This has been devastating. It's all the worse for having happened on Christmas Day.

"I spent a long time with the police and the fire investigators and they came to the conclusion that it was not started as a result of arson.

"The fire started at or near to the fruit machine, probably with a discarded cigarette.

"It is tragic for the club but it was an accident."

Games will continue to played at the club's Brewery Fields ground as the investigation into the fire continues.