Dozens of trophies and team photographs dating back to the 1940s were destroyed when fire ripped through the clubhouse at Normanton Knights ARLFC in Queen Elizabeth Drive on Wednesday night.

Fixtures for the club's 14 teams and 400 player have been thrown in to chaos.

Chairwoman Joan Langley said: "Everybody is devastated and upset.
"We have lost a lot of history, a lot of trophies and photographs have been destroyed which can't be replaced.

"Everything is gone. We have got a lot of cup games this weekend with junior and youth and open age teams. We don't know what is happening with them yet."

Mrs Langley said the clubhouse was badly fire damaged but the changing rooms suffered only smoke damage.

Fire crews from Wakefield and Normanton were alerted just after 9.30pm on Wednesday and spent two hours dealing with the blaze.

A police spokeswoman said the fire was being treated as arson.
The committee at the club, which has nurtured top-flight RL talent, vows that the club will fight back and flourish.

Mrs Langley said: "We can't believe this has happened, the club is at the heart of the community. But this is a strong community, everyone will stick together and get this club back running as soon as possible."

RL legends who learned their craft at the club include Great Britain and Wakefield Trinity legend Dave Topliss.

Mrs Langley's husband John played at Normanton Knights as a boy and went on to play for Leeds RLFC.

The couple's son Jamie, 26, played at Normanton from aged eight and now plays for Super League side Bradford Bulls.

Ben Westwood of Warrington Wolves and Ben Cockayne of Hull KR are also former Normanton boys.

Mrs Langley is urging anyone or any business who may want to help get the club back on track to get in touch.

Anyone able to help can contact the club on 01924 897081; Mrs Langley on 07949 222857 or committee member Joanne Richardson on 078912 82590.
Anyone with information about Wednesday night's blaze should call police on 0845 6060606, asking for Wakefield CID.