Last updated 11:18, Friday, 10 October 2008

IT IS of great concern to me that the Derwent Valley task group, made up of Allerdale borough councillors, have expressed their desire to see a combined stadium for Workington Reds and Workington Town RLFC, despite the necessary financial information not being provided to Workington Reds.

Workington Reds are a club that are financially in the black; through prudence the board have managed to stabilise the club over the last decade, and this has ensured that future generations will have a local football team to support.

Allerdale council has made no attempt to reassure the club that the combined stadium would be viable.

The council has not disclosed what the rent would be or how the match day revenue from bar takings etc would be distributed.

Some people have accused the Reds of having a backward attitude, but what other stance can they take?

It would be gross incompetence on their part if they were to agree to the plans without reassurance that the club’s financial future would be assured.

There are examples of football clubs who have been priced out of shared stadiums; this happened to Runcorn FC who shared with Widnes RLFC – the club ceased to exist due to the financial restraints in 2006.

In addition, the council has not made any attempt to consult or reassure the club or fans about other areas of concern.

Why should the Reds put their blind faith in a council that has shown scant regard for their wellbeing in the past?

Reds came within days of being relegated on an administrative technicality three years ago due to a huge delay in the council renewing the club’s lease; a basic task, mishandled.

As the Reds’ landlord they have done the minimum to help the club.

Two years a go I wrote to the council and stated there was a possibility that the project could work if they consulted the fans and made an attempt to rebuild damaged relations.

They have not done this, and now we are in the situation where a council is trying to force a sports club to play in a new stadium that they and their fans do not want.

The majority of the town did not want the council to sell the Cloffocks, and now the council does not have the necessary support from the public to go ahead with the combined stadium project.

Despite this, it is attempting to force the plans through. This is undemocratic, and disrespects the voters who elected them.

GAVIN ROONEY
Moor Road
Stainburn
Workington