After a horrendous 2023/24 season that saw the club hit by flooding six times, Tadcaster raised concerns as to whether their club could survive should the flooding and damage continue.
Situated next to the River Wharfe, the football club has confirmed that the majority of their stadium is currently underwater , saying on social media: “Well what a New Year. Volunteers spent New Year’s Day preparing for the floods.
“Unfortunately, it was worse than expected but we survived. We will tidy up and go again. Can’t wait for the new flood defences
“Please support the planning application for Tadcaster improved flood scheme.”
Well what a new year
Volunteers spent new years day preparing for the floods
Unfortunately was worse than expected but we survived
We will tidy up and go again
Can’t wait for the new flood defences
Please support the planning application for Tadcaster improved flood scheme pic.twitter.com/GK30ODPGrp— Tadcaster Albion (@TadcasterAlbion) January 2, 2025
The club has urged people to support the Tadcaster Flood Alleviation Scheme, which would replace and improve the flood defences on both the left and right bank of the River Wharfe throughout Tadcaster.
That would reduce the risk of flooding for residents and businesses, as well as add greater resilience against climate change into the future.
Speaking to the Press, Tadcaster chairman Andy Charlesworth stated: “It happened six times last year, which was the worst we’ve ever had. I was speaking to the two directors about how it hadn’t happened this year before Christmas, so we’ve temped fate!
“We’re just waiting for the environment agency now which is currently in the planning stage, but we need support.
“We have to emphasise this but we need we need every supporter to show their support for the environment agency, as it could be done as soon as next year.
“We need a big push to support the planning application.
“The plan is to hopefully build a two metre wall between us and the river as it would save us from about 99 per cent of floods, other than the Boxing Day one with the bridge.
“We had pumps put in place under the pitch, meaning that any water at a certain level would be pumped out.
“It was a big investment from the supporters, and we have to ask for volunteers because then we have to also pick up the branches, twigs, we even once had a fish in the middle of the pitch from the flooding!
“Our wheelie bin once got taken into a different field. The volunteers are great.”
The flooding means that Tadcaster’s local derby with Knaresborough Town tomorrow afternoon at the Young Guns Arena (3pm) is all but postponed, with the NCEL and FA requesting that the Brewers leave any final decisions until the day of the match.
The Young Guns Arena and its surrounding areas have been damaged by flooding. (Image: Tadcaster Albion) Charlesworth added: “As soon as it all flooded, we contacted both the league and the FA.
“They have told us to leave it until Saturday, but with the weather forecast not improving, it might end up being an ice rink.
“Even if the water drains, the pitch will still be really wet.
“It’s not just for a typical game, tomorrow we’re losing a local derby versus Knaresborough so we’re going to be losing a big gate with that.
“We’ll lose that matchday income, the cash flow, there will be less people when it’s moved to a Tuesday night. Because of that, it will cost the club in excess of £1,000.
“It’s not just the cost of that though, it’s a case of recovering.
“I could just about get into the stadium and into the clubhouse, about 80, 90 per cent of it is underwater.”
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