Football: Almondsbury approach Yate and Slimbridge over ground share

9:26am Thursday 4th March 2010

By Rob Iles

ALMONDSBURY TOWN could ground share with local rivals Yate Town as uncertainty grows over their future at Oaklands Park.

The Hellenic Premier Division outfit have contacted several other clubs, including Mangotsfield United and Slimbridge about the possibility Cossham Street or Wisloe Road next season.

Almondsbury are still in negotiations with Filton College over a proposed move to a new ground at WISE Campus, but that will not be ready next season meaning they are looking at the option of finding a temporary home.

They are still hoping to play at Oaklands, despite being told to leave their clubhouse by May 31 by their landlords, the Gloucestershire FA, who are planning to turn it into a conference and training centre for referees and physios.

However, Almondsbury would not be able to play in the Southern League next season without a clubhouse should they win promotion, and they have had plans to build a temporary building in the car park turned down by the GFA.

Chairman Bob Jenkins fears a temporary clubhouse elsewhere in the ground would prove too costly on a one-year lease.

Yate, Slimbridge and Mangotsfield all have Southern League standard facilities and sharing with one of them could be a more viable financial option.

Jenkins said: “We’re in negotiations with the GFA at the moment but we’re not getting on too well to be honest.

“We put in plans for modules which were turned down but we’re looking at other possibilities of where we can put them without costing us a fortune on a one-year lease.

“We’re finding their expectations hard to deal with so we’re looking at ground sharing and considering all other options.

“We’ve put some feelers out there and we need to know where we stand very shortly.”

With the club feeling the pinch in difficult economic times, Jenkins is frustrated that Almondsbury have not yet been able to come to an agreement with the GFA.

He said: “We are a level five club in a recession. They are closing down our social club so it’s making it harder and harder and the costs of ground sharing could be a lot cheaper.”

“With hard work we’ve dragged ourselves up to be a reputable club, -that’s what grassroots football is all about - but we’re just being knocked backwards.

“We’ve only played two home games since December which is putting a burden on our finances and we’re finding it hard to cope with.”

Another option is for Almondsbury to share facilities with their current Oaklands Park neighbours, North Bristol rugby club, and Jenkins admits he would prefer to stay put.

He said: “I would love to stay at Oaklands. I played for Almondsbury before I went into business and I’m an Almondsbury man.”

Under the stewardship of former long-serving Yate manager Richard Thompson, Almondsbury are on course to achieve their Southern League ambition.

They are currently second in the Hellenic Premier Division, four points behind league leaders Reading Town with three games in hand.