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Flooded rugby club fundraising for rebuild

BBOB Rugby Club Flood waters in a bar with bottles and crisp packets floating in the brown water.BBOB Rugby Club
The bar area was flooded after Storm Bert hit the rugby club

A rugby club affected by flooding has raised nearly £1,000 as locals fundraise for its recovery.

Northampton BBOB Rugby Club was severely damaged by the effects of Storm Bert in November 2024.

The clubhouse, storage areas and garages were irreversibly destroyed, forcing the club to close, with repairs expected to take several more months.

"For the club to reach this goal, we are looking for any donations, no matter how small, to get us back playing and hosting matches at our beloved ground," said Cara Archer, who started the fundraising appeal only on Monday.

"The club's priority is to continue to play rugby and replace the vast amount of kit and equipment that is needed."

Pete Cooper/BBC A long brick building with a blue brick building attached at the back. A canal runs along in front of it.Pete Cooper/BBC
Northampton BBOB Rugby Club's senior men's first team plays in the Huntingdon and District league
BBOB Rugby Club Gym equipment in a room covered with dirty brown water.BBOB Rugby Club
Flood damage was also caused to the club's gym

At the time of the flooding, Paul Diggin, an ex-Northampton Saints player now involved with the club, described the destruction.

He told BBC Radio Northampton the clubhouse had been "wiped out" by floodwaters, which rose to four feet.

"So much has been destroyed," he said. "It is completely wrecked… we are going to be struggling for a bit."

He said the changing rooms and toilets were unusable.

The club is awaiting insurance assessments before any repairs can begin.

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