Wivnehoe Town protest rally planned (From Gazette)

Wivnehoe Town protest rally planned

4:09pm Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

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WIVENHOE Town fans have been invited to join a protest march.

The club was locked out of its Broad Lane home last week by Wivenhoe and Sporting Facilities Trust in a dispute over unpaid rent.

Chairman Carl Callan has called a protest against the move, with fans invited to meet at the town’s Station pub at 12.30pm on Saturday to march to Broad Lane.

The team, known as the Dragons, is due to play Ely City at Broad Lane on Saturday and is currently looking to find another ground to play at or face expulsion from the Ridgeons League.

Mr Callan said: “We will play, but we’re not sure yet where.”

“We’ve had offers from Clacton and Harwich, clubs that we ourselves offered support to when they were facing difficulties, and we’re looking to conclude the arrangements soon.

“Wherever we are, we will see out the season and see what happens from there.”

Mr Callan said the march was intended to give a public display of fans’ feelings about the eviction. He said: “People are angry and want to show that to the trust. We all want to fight for this club’s future.

“The trust has made its decision, but trustees are not making themselves available to explain it. We just want to be able to play football, not these types of games.”

The club held a meeting with North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin on Friday to discuss its plight, which Mr Callan described as “very positive”. He added: “Mr Jenkin offered to help us by talking to the council, university and trust and we welcome that assistance.”

The trust, which leases the ground from Colchester Council, said the club has not paid its contribution towards the rent since August 2008 and owes £9,807.63.

The club has said it would be willing to pay if it is shown legally-binding documents to prove the debt.

Trust chairman Andrew Nightingale could not be contacted for comment.