The first ever inner-city junior rugby club in England is set to have its clubhouse demolished. 

The council is planning to redevelop Burgess Park and it emerged recently that the clubhouse which Southwark Tigers junior rugby club uses will be knocked down in the process.  

Although the council said the club can use part of a new sports centre, this would be a much smaller space and the building is yet to be granted planning permission (date set for November 19) and be built.  

After the club started up 19 years ago they began to store their equipment in a “derelict” and disused building in the park.  

The council found out the club was using it and started charging rent. 

In 2009, Southwark Tigers raised £50,000 to renovate the clubhouse, adding a toilet and kitchen, and now it provides a space for making food, storing equipment, and holding meetings and events.  

The building is also used by various charities, including Silverfit, Art in the Park, Burgess Sport and Creation Trust, which will also lose out if the demolition goes ahead.  

Vernon Neve-Dunn, who founded the club in 2000, said the young players will have “nowhere to go” and the blow came as a “shock”. 

He found out the news at a redevelopment meeting with the council.

He said: “The club has always been a charity for children who want to play. 

“Now they just want to knock it down and we’re going to fight that. 

“The council has said to us it’s not their responsibilty to provide us with a space and that it can’t show preference to us – basically by not showing preference no one can have a space. 

“Speaking to them doesn’t really go anywhere – it’s like ‘computer says no’.” 

Vernon said the club wants to expand rather than downsize and is willing to pay for all related costs.  

But the council said the building is “coming to the end of its usable life”. 

A council spokesperson said: “We are currently working with Southwark Tigers to establish the renewal of their lease for the clubhouse at Chumleigh Gardens.  

“We are committed to supporting their use of the current building in the immediate term. 

 “The building is unfortunately coming to the end of its usable life.  

“But, when this happens, we are confident that we can work with the club to accommodate their longer term clubhouse needs, as part of the broader improvements being made across the park.”