Where do we go from here?

AS Latics fans are left worrying about the future of the club, the board of directors and council chiefs are struggling to find a way forward. The Charity Commission refused permission for the club to build a brand new stadium in Failsworth and, as far as Latics are concerned, staying at Boundary Park is not an option. The question now is can a solution be found? DAWN MARSDEN reports.
OLDHAM Council chief executive Charlie Parker says they will take criticism “on the chin” but must continue to work to find a solution to the stadium issue.

The council’s application to transfer charitable trust status on land in Failsworth was knocked back because the Charity Commission said it was “not satisfied” that the proposed swap is in the best interests of the charity.

Council officers are still evaluating that ruling and examining the merits of each potential next step.

Mr Parker (pictured) said: “We are desperately disappointed with this ruling and have taken legal advice. We believe that there is a need to clarify with the Charity Commission some of their assumptions which, on the face of it, we believe to be incorrect.

“When this decision was handed down we also expected criticism to come our way as this is a very emotive subject — and we have taken that on the chin.

“The anger that was expressed is a risk you always take when trying to deliver a key regeneration project.

“All parties involved in the project — including Oldham Athletic — were fully aware of that when we decided to push ahead with this scheme but we took the view that sitting back and doing nothing was not an option.

“We make no apologies for daring — and striving — to find a solution.

“We know how important this club is to the borough. We are also acutely aware of the financial pressures that it is facing and we are mindful that club officials have to make their own decisions accordingly in that context.

“The council is not fully appraised — and nor should we be — of the details of the club’s day-to-day financial challenges. Nonetheless, as a local authority we should not use council taxpayers’ money and resources to assist in the running of a football club.

“However, we are continuing to try and assist the club’s attempts to relocate from Boundary Park — just as we have ever since they approached us in May, 2009.

“When we agreed to help then our over-riding motivation was — and remains — to facilitate finding a permanent home for Oldham Athletic in this borough.

“The club needs a venue that can provide 21st Century matchday facilities, community facilities and the opportunity to create new revenue streams to make it financially viable and self-sustaining.

“Officers have since dedicated countless hours to this and their disappointment is palpable.

“We all understand the importance of Latics to the borough and share this frustration but it is crucial that we remained focussed purely on forging a way forward. There is simply no merit in us wasting time now fighting a war of words in the media about how we got here.

“In consultation with council members — plus Oldham Athletic Football Club — we hope to move forward quickly with our next steps and will make this public as soon as possible.

“Finally, it is important to note — despite what some people have implied — that this borough is neither unique nor immune to the difficulties of complex planning law. Brighton & Hove Albion will move into a fantastic new home this summer but have not played in their own stadium since 1997, for example. Their protracted move to Falmer involved a public inquiry, a ruling from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and a judicial review.

“Liverpool and Everton have also been involved in several mooted schemes over recent years and yet both seem no closer to resolving their futures.

“Closer to home, Oldham Rugby League lacked a permanent base from 1997. Last year we were able to deliver a solution at Whitebank Stadium for them. That path was not easy, but this case shows that obstacles are not always insurmountable — and that Oldham Council does not give up lightly.”


Latics: We fear for the future

ZERO — that’s the level of confidence Latics has in Oldham Council’s ability to deliver a new stadium in the borough.

Following a crisis meeting yesterday, Latics board of directors said: “We placed our faith in Oldham Council in following a course of action they advised and we have co-operated with this fully over the past year. We now feel totally let down.

“Although we recognise some of the council officers’ efforts to prepare the application to the Charity Commission, there have clearly been a catalogue of errors during this process, which have been pointed out so clearly by the commission in their decision notice.

“This, coupled with the consistent council advice that the Failsworth site was a deliverable option, leaves our confidence in the current council’s ability to deliver any proposal for a new stadium at zero.

“Having taken the past week to consider our options, we now have to take action to protect the interests of the club, its supporters and those who have willingly underwritten things so that this opportunity could have been delivered.

“We do not feel that a solution can be achieved with the current administration, although we do believe that potential alternative options could be developed with the right people.

“Therefore, we cannot make any further comment ourselves at this stage and have placed the matter in the hands of our solicitors.

“With regards to the future it is clear that there is no long-term future for the club at Boundary Park and we believe we have exhausted all opportunities to avoid the club being in its current situation.

“We are exploring realistic possibilities for next season, including ground-sharing which, at this stage, seems to be the likeliest option for us.

“However, without determined, positive and professional action from Oldham Council and a genuine and realistic relocation package of deliverable proposals, we fear for the future of the club remaining in the borough.”