BANBURY United could launch a public appeal for funds after the weekend's gales demolished part of a grandstand at Spencer Stadium.

The cost of rebuilding the stand - the corrugated iron covering over the Town End terracing - will run into thousands of pounds, and the club is worried that its insurance company will declare the damage an Act of God and not pay out.

Club chairman David Bennett said: "The incident happened between 2am and 3am on Sunday morning at the height of the storm.

"After we discovered the damage we began assessing what had happened.

"Between 25 and 30 per cent of the stand has been destroyed. We must get it rebuilt as a matter of urgency to comply with Southern League rules on the standard of grounds."

Mr Bennett said: "The stand is probably more than 60 years old and it is possible that the whole thing will have to be replaced.

"A local company is preparing an estimate of the cost, and we should get that within the next few days.

"We have reported the matter to our insurers but I fear the damage will be classed as an Act of God - which this sort of thing often is - and that we will have to find the funds ourselves.

"If so, we will launch an appeal asking businesses and local people for support."

He added: "There is still plenty of covered terracing and our seated grandstand for spectators, so I am not looking at cancelling matches, but we must make rebuilding a priority."

Tuesday evening's match against Yate Town went ahead with the wrecked stand cordoned off.