Rovers not coming to Whaddon Road

THE collapse of Bristol Rovers' Whaddon Road groundshare will not affect Cheltenham Town adversely, according to chairman Paul Baker.

Rovers have finally abandoned plans to relocate while their Memorial Stadium home is redeveloped.

They will now rebuild the ground in stages and continue to play there throughout.

Rovers had planned to become tenants at Whaddon Road for 18 months from the start of this season, having initially delayed the move from January 2008, but building work was put on hold again due to the credit crunch.

Rovers had even started selling season tickets before the Memorial Stadium redevelopment plans were put on hold.

The then Robins boss Keith Downing's playing budget was reduced as a result.

But Baker revealed the income Cheltenham were set to receive from the start of next term had not been budgeted for.

"We are naturally disappointed that Bristol Rovers will not be taking up their option to groundshare with us next season, but delighted for them that at long last the development of their stadium appears to be back on track," Baker said.

"The additional revenue that would have resulted from such a move would of course have been very welcome, but we certainly had not budgeted on receiving any money from this source.

"Indeed, it is helpful in terms of our planning for next season that Bristol Rovers have made this decision now."

Rovers chairman Nick Higgs said: "Since we announced the delay in the Stadium Project in June we have been re-appraising the scheme.

"This is mainly in the light of the current credit crunch and the on-going financial climate.

"We are very pleased to announce that through the careful re-design and phasing of the construction of the project we will be able to stay at the Memorial Stadium throughout the construction process.

"Obviously we will not now be moving to Cheltenham.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the board of directors of Cheltenham Town FC, for their help and cooperation in agreeing to accommodate us if we had needed a temporary groundshare arrangement."

During the works, Rovers will maintain a minimum capacity of 8,500 and within certain phases, that will increase to more than 10,000.