Gloucester City and Cheltenham Town close to groundshare agreement
GLOUCESTER City's groundshare agreement with Cheltenham Town could be confirmed by the end of the week according to the chairmen of both clubs.
The once bitter rivals have been discussing the cost of the Tigers sharing Cheltenham's Abbey Business Stadium for the next two seasons and the Robins have named their price.
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Whaddon Road could become the temporary home of the Tigers
City, who have also confirmed discussions with previous landlords Forest Green Rovers as well as Worcester City, have to confirm their new temporary home by March 31 or face relegation from Blue Square North.
Cheltenham Town chairman Paul Baker confirmed that the Robins have laid down their financial demands, believed to be in the region of £45,000 per year, and are waiting for City to respond.
"The ball is in Gloucester City's court because we have put the figures to them and we are waiting to hear back," Baker said.
"We would be happy to enter into it and I think it'd be a positive thing for two local clubs to help each other out.
"We feel it's a very fair offer that would not only help us out financially, but also enhances the value of our stadium in terms of advertising revenue and other spin-offs."
The £45,000 yearly cost would represent as much as a 400 per cent increase on the figure the Tigers are paying to current landlords Cirencester Town.
Part of that extra cost could be offset by a proposed £20,000 cash grant by the city council, but the club would still have to raise the balance in order to maintain Conference football.
City Chairman Nigel Hughes confirmed that talks were close to reaching a conclusion.
"The ball is very much in our court and we have decisions to be made which hopefully will be sorted in the next couple of days," he said.
"We have had discussions with Forest Green Rovers and Worcester City but I think we all have to agree that logistically moving to Cheltenham is the logical choice.
"Quite clearly we want to be playing Conference football next season and all three options are suitable in terms of grading and I expect some movement either way this week.
"We are looking at the financial implications of all three offers baring in mind our own limited commercial opportunities, given that we don't currently have a ground."
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by mark, glos
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 9:33PM
“tom, thats the funniest thing ive heard in ages. league one where chelt belong?!?!? they are a small league 2 club at best who over achieved and punched above their weight for a few yeas. im sure they had a good time but the harsh reality is that they are at their level. dont kid yourself that cheltenham "belong" anywhere above where they are”
by Steve, Gloucester
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 5:32PM
“I should add should the two teams every play each other and I really can't see it happening in my life time then it would be interesting to see which side the large amount of Gloucester based Robins cheer on!”
by Steve, Gloucester
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 5:21PM
“We may be two leagues apart at the moment however it goes well beyond that. CTFC are firmly established as the number one football club in the county with a fan base bigger than all the other teams put together. Even if Gloucester City were to reach the conference premier it's hard to see them attracting regular four figure gates. Meanwhile CTFC have higher aspirations with a return to league one over the next couple of seasons. We have a professional infrastructure which would take years for Forest Green let alone Gloucester City to replicate. Comparing the two is like comparing Bristol City and Cheltenham as equals.”
by Randalls Love Child, Swindon
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 5:07PM
“Two leagues apart doesn't equate to being poles apart. One season could easily see to that! Both clubs look like succeeding in the fight against relegation from their respective divisions, but this is clearly a better move for the Tigers than for CTFC, with the rent prob not covering the cost of extra maintenance on what is a fabulous playing surface. The same surface that suited City so well in the 4-0 county cup win. In league position we are not rivals, and will not be for some years but City are a progressive and well run outfit, while the Robins are in a degree of financial difficulty. I'm certain that 'normal' service will be resumed soon enough. A glos/chelt derby in the conf premier? Not so far fetched!”
by Who Cares, Glos
Wednesday, March 17 2010, 3:07PM
“Thing is, out of the 60,000 or so council tax payers in Gloucester, I think that 20k is equivalent to about £3 each. I certainly dont begrudge £3 of my huge council tax annual bill going towards helping out Citys football club. Its better than some of the things its spent on, like the 1000's of teachers who sit around for half their 6 hour day during free lessons doing nothing!
Know what I mean Mr Reader”