A cricket club in Ashford has issued an appeal for public support after their ground was reportedly damaged by a traveller camp.
According to officials, Ashford Cricket Club has been hit hard by lockdown restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
The lack of subscriptions and bar takings means there is no income which would go towards the maintenance of the ground in Short lane, Stanwell.
And according to a statement, they the side has 'recently had to deal with the unexpected expense of a traveller camp of the ground'.
Police were called in to move on a camp from a nearby football pitch last week (May 2).
Club captain and local Surrey County Councillor Robert Evans said: "This has been a most unpleasant experience for all concerned.
"Fortunately the club has rallied round and the travellers have moved on.
"We have been fortunate to have received a great deal of support and help from Spelthorne Council, but now there is a big and expensive repair and clean-up operation in progress."
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Senior cricket at Short Lane was originally due to start on April 18, with junior fixtures from April 23.
But the start of the season has now been delayed until the end of May, with the latest ECB announcement that the professional game is delayed until July.
A statement from the club read: "There is a significant cost to us of no cricket. Whilst we have spent a considerable amount of time trying to minimise our costs, we have some fixed costs.
"These fixed costs versus no income will result in a very significant loss, curtailing our ambition to maintain and enhance our facilities for the benefit of our members, and the Spelthorne and Hounslow communities
"We have no doubt that many of our senior members, junior families and friends of the club may be impacted; however please donate whatever you can to support the club in these testing times, in the knowledge that we can claim gift aid on your donation due to our being a registered Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC).
"Thank you for your ongoing membership, friendship and support.
"We hope to be on the cricket field again, as soon as we can and hope that is sooner rather than later. Please stay safe in the meantime."
As of 7pm on May 6, more than £7,500 had been raised towards a £10,000 target.
The club has launched a Just Giving appeal for help and any donations will be welcomed at justgiving.com/campaign/ashfordcc.
Anyone who requires further information is advised to contact the club for more details at ashfordcc.co.uk.
