WINSFORD United's board of directors has praised the fantastic efforts of firefighters, a hero neighbour and "truly inspiring" support from the fans and community following a fire at the clubhouse earlier this morning.

Firefighters were called to the club's Barton Stadium in Winsford at around 6.15am. The club sustained minor damage and thankfully there were no injuries.

The fire itself was contained to the toilets and hallway between the function room and café. Damage caused from the smoke and water has spread through to these areas also.

The building will remain closed while repairs are carried out and will open at a date to be confirmed.

In a statement this afternoon, Winsford United's board of directors said: "This morning the Winsford United family were woken to the news that our clubhouse had caught fire.

"Due to the fantastic efforts of our local fire departments the fire itself was contained to the toilets and hallway between the function room and café however the damage caused from the smoke and water has spread through to these areas also.

"When safe to do so we were walked through the property by the chief fire investigator and the extent of the damage became apparent, structural damage and electrical damage are the main concerns and so until we have had these issues repaired the property will remain closed.

"We would like to thank the emergency services who attended and risked their lives to protect the community and the club. 

"We would like to also thank resident Jody Yearsley who is a neighbour of the football club for informing the emergency services of the initial fire; her quick thinking has almost certainly saved the club from burning down all together, and finally to all the fans and community residents that have reached out in last few hours.

"Your concern and support for this club is truly inspiring and we promise to come through this nightmare to deliver a club and ground that you can be proud of."

Crews from Winsford, Northwich and Middlewich were called to the venue in Kingsway at around 6.15am. 

On arrival, they saw smoke billowing from the building. The crews isolated the gas and electrics to the premises.

After extinguishing the fire part of the metal roof was removed to help ventilate the building.

Crews from Northwich and Middlewich left the site at around 8am.

Firefighters from Winsford remained at the scene for another hour and used a hose reel jet to dampen down at the scene.

In total firefighters were at the scene for around three hours.

Nathan Pardoe, Labour councillor for Winsford Wharton visited the site this morning.

He told Winsford and Middlewich Guardian: "Winsford United have been making a huge effort to improve the facilities and deliver ambitious plans.

"The damage is a disappointment to them and to the community.

"Barton Stadium is much more than a football venue, it's also a community space used by local organisations.

"Winsford United will recover from this and they have my full support - the club and Barton Stadium are a cherished part of our history and important to Wharton residents."