A football fan says he has been left heartbroken after seeing the state of the Camrose football ground.

The historic Winchester Road pitch that was gifted to Basingstoke Football Club in the 1950s by a kindly millionaire has stood empty since the club were evicted last August.

The owner of the site local businessman Rafi Razzak and his development firm are currently in talks with Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council about building a road through the plot and turning it into properties.

Richard Hooley couldn't help but stop by to see what has happened to the empty ground. 

He took photographs which showed it had been used as a dumping ground for fly-tippers while the pitch - which was ripped and churned up by diggers in January - looks desolate and barren.

Basingstoke Gazette: The historic Camrose football ground has been left to rot The historic Camrose football ground has been left to rot

Richard said: "Memories, that’s what remains of The Camrose in its current state.

"Seeing the ground broken and vandalised is heart wrenching, each broken piece holds significant sentimental memories for many former staff, players and supporters.

"The Camrose was a gift from Lord Camrose, which has been stolen under the supporters noses for nothing but profit and gain in a morally and simply unacceptable way. The destruction of the Camrose will become apart Basingstoke’s history in a sour way.

"People wonder why supporters care so much about The Camrose, it’s just an old run down football ground in the eyes of some. However, it isn’t. It’s much more than that. The Camrose holds huge sentimental value to supporters, whom probably inherited their love of the club from their parent(s) or grandparent(s) and shared memories with their family and friends at this very place. 

Basingstoke Gazette: Workers digging up the pitch in January 2020Workers digging up the pitch in January 2020

"For me, I will always remember my time at The Camrose with my brother Bill and his dad and my friend Gary Williams who was a huge town supporter who held the Camrose close to his heart, just as much as the rest of us.

"This is a place that needs to be saved from destruction for profit and restored for the community so that many more memories can be made. This ground has been taken by people with no integrity and the Town deserves more than that."