Last year, a blaze ripped through the recently-refurbished clubhouse at Ryhope Sports Ground, causing £300,000-worth of damage.

The fire at the club's lounge and sports bar also destroyed treasured photographs of children who have played cricket at the ground over the years and a cabinet displaying trophies won by the club's cricket, pools, football and darts teams.

Investigators did not treat the blaze as suspicious.

Last October, planners approved the replacement of the fire-hit building and construction work started at the same site, next to the existing bowls pavilion.

And now, after months of work, the clubhouse has reopened to the public.
Matt Summerside, treasurer of the social club, said: "The new building looks fantastic.

"It's been a big inconvenience not having it, particularly in the summer when people would come and watch cricket.

"We could still hold the football and cricket matches at the ground, but people would often visit the clubhouse while they were here.

"And not only was it used for sports, people used it as a meeting place, somewhere to socialise, and we also used it for functions such as christenings and weddings. It was also a source of income for the cricket and football club. We're all happy it's up and running again."

The new building is slightly bigger than the previous one to cater for disabled toilets and make more room inside.

"The builders have really done a first-class job," said Mr Summerside.

"It's beautiful, absolutely tremendous. We want to thank Sunderland Council for arranging it all, as well as the builders, electricians, plumbers and site managers. They have all worked incredibly hard."

More than 500 people use the facilities, including bowls and football pitches at the club, which is also home to Ryhope Colliery Welfare CC which plays in the Durham Coast Cricket League.

The site's links to the sport date back to the 1950s when pitmen started playing on Ryhope's Recreation Field. The clubhouse at Ryhope Street South was built in 1983.