Published: Thursday, 12th June, 2008 10:00
Credit crunch hits Robins
By Charles Watts
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Bracknell chairman Chris Nixon may have to re-think his club's relocation plans.
BRACKNELL Town’s hopes of announcing their ambitious plans for the club’s relocation have had to be delayed because of the credit crunch.
Robins chairman Chris Nixon had all but agreed a deal with a developer which would have seen the club sell its Larges Lane ground and move into a new multi-million pound facility which would be built as part of a new housing complex in the area.
But just three weeks before an announcement was set to be made the plan had to be put on ice because of the current slump in the housing market.
Nixon said: “It’s very frustrating. We were just three weeks away, the whole deal was agreed and everyone was happy.
“We were hoping to announce the site of the new ground at the club’s AGM last Sunday but we were not able to divulge it because of the downturn in the economy.
“One or two things have gone against us and Larges Lane isn’t as valuable as it was. We’re still negotiating on our preferred new site but we’re looking at two others with a view of giving ourselves an alternative if we aren’t able to secure our preferred option.
“I think the next two months will crystalise what we do. We’ve spent a good 18 months working on this site. The option we have with the developers is a two year option as we felt that would give us enough time to secure our preferred site.
“We still have three to six months to make that happen. If it doesn’t we will have to look at the other sites – that’s the timeframe we’re working from.”
If the current plans for the move have to be scrapped and a new location found for the stadium, Nixon admits it will put the proposal back a number of years.
The Robins were hoping to move into their new home in two seasons time but another three years could be added on to that timeframe if the club has to begin the process of finding a site all over again.
Nixon said: “A five year scenario is the worst case scenario. That would be ridiculous for me because we would have to go through everything again.
“Maybe it would be a bit less because we’ve done all the plans as far as Larges Lane is concerned.”
Meanwhile, Nixon has announced a new two year sponsorship deal with Barclay Homes which will see the Larges Lane club receive a six figure sum.
He said: “We’ve secured a major deal from Barclay Homes. It’s a two year deal with an option of a further three years. It’s linked into the relocation plans.
“It’s a six figure sum which will go towards the general wellbeing of the club, players’ wages, transport, kit, that sort of thing.”
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