Chairman’s assurance over stand

SIMON CORNEY: new stand fully operational for start of next season.

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ATHLETIC chairman Simon Corney has assured supporters the club’s new North Stand will be completed for the start of next season.

The developers are believed to have had a setback with the company fitting the roof and side panels. Discussions are underway with alternative contractors.

But Corney said while the delay is “a pain” it won’t have a major impact — work on the stand has never stopped, contrary to a report last week.

Changes to the original design have led to a £2million rise in costs to £6.5m, but Corney confirmed his belief in the importance of getting things right.

“We have always said every part of the new stand will be fully operational for next season,” said Athletic’s chairman from his business in New York. “It may possibly be earlier than that — anything else is a bonus.”

Once finished, the North Stand will have seating for 2,600 fans, a 500-capacity conference venue, a gym, executive boxes and offices. Deals have been signed with tenants who will move in by next July at the latest.

As for the resurgent team, Corney believes a victory at Peterborough on Saturday will make plenty of clubs in the division sit up and take notice.
“We have a squad good enough to be contenders for a place in the play-offs,” he said.

“If we get a positive result at Peterborough, I think people will really start to believe in us.”