A HAMPSHIRE woman has defended a Romsey football club following a critical report by health inspectors.

Volunteer for Romsey Town Football Club, Helen Craddock, claimed the club has been "scrubbed from top to bottom" the weekend after they received a food hygiene rating of 1 out of 5.

A report from the Food Standards Agency, who inspected the club in the Bypass Ground, said a “major improvement” was necessary after discovering the football club’s frying unit, chest freezers, refrigerator seals and air circulatory fan units were “grimy and not clean”.

Now the football club is set to have another inspection on Tuesday, January 21, after volunteers were "upset" to discover they had lost their 5 out of 5 rating.

The 50-year-old from Eastleigh said: "I have been a volunteer here for over four years and we have been trying hard to keep this club running.

"Following that weekend, we had a team of guys come in and the place was scrubbed from top to bottom.

"I understand the food hygiene inspectors are all qualified, as we could have pulled the fridges out, but before food is cooked everything is wiped down and disinfected.

"It was also a matter of management which is why I stepped up to the mark as there needed to be somebody to be bossy in the kitchen."

Helen added: "The food is cooked in a wooden hut and we make the best of what we have got, which is why we sell frozen food and not fresh food.

"We did have a thermometer on the day to test our food, but it was upside down on the side so the inspector did not pick up that it was there.

"The person who was here during the inspection did not manage the kitchen and he was not aware of where the paperwork was, so we were caught out."

Helen highlighted the other volunteers were "upset" to discover the rating as last time the club achieved a "five over two years ago".

She said: "I care about the club and everyone who works here does; with virtually no financial backing we don’t do a bad job."

The inspection took place on November 23.