JINXED Great Harwood FC has been dealt another blow after sick vandals set fire to the stand and demolished the dug-out.

Fire crews were called to the Showground, off Wood Street, on Tuesday night but the fire was already out when they arrived.

The crisis-hit club has suffered a run of bad luck after a fire at neighbouring Monroes nightclub ripped through its dressing rooms.

The blaze, which destroyed the controversial nightspot last February, also gutted the team's showers and toilet facilities and left it unable to stage any home matches.

A few years ago the ground was closed amid a foot-and-mouth crisis in the area and the club had points deducted for a simple administration error which saw it relegated from the North West Counties First Division.

Accrington Stanley has since thrown the club a vital lifeline by allowing it to play matches at the Interlink Express Stadium.

Great Harwood's chairman, Bill Holden, said: "It is really sickening. The middle section of the stand has been burned and is irreperable.

"The chain has been cut off the gate and the brick dug- out shelter has been flattened. After everything that's happened over the last few years it really is the last thing we need, carried out by totally mindless vandals."

Mr Holden added: "At present we are using Accrington Stanley's ground.

"Our football ground is up for sale as it is owned by Monroes so until that is sold we don't know if we will be able to return on another 10-year lease."