A FOOTBALL club has issued a plea for help after their grounds and clubhouse were devastated by recent flooding. 

Malmesbury Victoria FC grounds was submerged with more than 24 inches of flood water after the River Avon burst its banks on Thursday (January 12). 

Its clubhouse has also been left with more than six inches of water ruining recent decorating work and furniture. 

The club are now appealing for funds to return the club back to normal using machinery and heating to dry out the water. 

So far kind-hearted supporters and football fans have raised more than £700 in just a day. 

Malmesbury Vics Club secretary Brendon Rice said the recent flooding has caused ‘havoc’. 

“We’re facing very tough times at the club,” he said.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: A photo taken last week showing flooding at Malmesbury Victoria FCA photo taken last week showing flooding at Malmesbury Victoria FC (Image: Ben Thornbury)

“We took a tough decision, post Christmas, to close our bar and re-lay our skittle alley and completely re-decorate the clubhouse interior. 

“The first flood hit us damaging the skittle alley works and leaving us with much water damage to low-lying equipment and furniture. 

“We cleared up the following day only to have torrential rain and the second flood hit us. 

“This time the flooding left the clubhouse under six to eight inches of water and severely affected the decorating work. 

“We'd appreciate any help people can muster to help us recover as quickly as possible, the machinery and heating to dry out will not be cheap at all.”

The recent flooding is the fifth flood to hit Malmesbury Vics in nine years.

And after this week’s recent cold snap, the water-logged grounds have now frozen over and officials are urging individuals not to walk on the icy surface. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Malmesbury Victoria FC grounds have now frozen over after the recent cold weather Malmesbury Victoria FC grounds have now frozen over after the recent cold weather (Image: Richard Harris)

Flooding also engulfed other parts of the town last week.

There has been severe flooding in Park Road which forced building materials store Huws Gray Buildbase to close. 

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: There was severe flooding in Park Road near Huws Gray BuildbaseThere was severe flooding in Park Road near Huws Gray Buildbase (Image: Harry Heywood)

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Malmesbury resident Harry Heywood took a photo of a swan swimming around in flood water in Park RoadMalmesbury resident Harry Heywood took a photo of a swan swimming around in flood water in Park Road (Image: Harry Heywood)

Malmesbury flood warden Sue Poole urged all residents on Thursday (January 12) to avoid all flood water and encouraged motorists to drive carefully. 

She said in a statement: “Please drive carefully if you must as many roads are already flooded, and stay away from the river and flood water. It is dangerous.

According to the Met Office no more rain is expected in Malmesbury but the cold weather will continue until the weekend. 

The Environment Agency has lifted the flood warning for the River Avon from Malmesbury to Chippenham, which was issued last week.

You can donate to the GoFundMe for Malmesbury Victoria flood recovery works here - https://tinyurl.com/3za2kb9z