Newport FC have called for independent mediation to settle a dispute that could see them have to play all their remaining games away from home this season.
The club has been hit with an eviction notice by Ryde Saints FC with who it has been sharing Smallbrook Stadium this season.
Newport FC: Eviction notice is invalid
After taking expert legal advice, Newport says the eviction notice is invalid and has called for fresh negotiations between the two clubs to reach a compromise.
If that fails then they have said they would welcome the chance for mediation.
£4,700 upgrade balloons to £40,000
The dispute has arisen because, as part of the original ground-share arrangement, Newport FC agreed to undertake a £4,700 upgrade of the floodlights at Smallbrook.
But the quote on which that agreement was struck has since been found to be flawed with the true cost closer to £40,000.
Speedway can’t allow new stanchions
While the cost is far higher than originally envisaged by all the parties, the problem is that the only way to supply Wessex League compliant lighting would require new stanchions at the arena which Island Speedway – the principal leaseholders at Smallbrook – will not allow for safety reasons.
Financial compensation package rejected
Newport currently pays a match fee to both Ryde Saints and Island Speedway and has agreed to purchase the club a container for storage use.
Newport has also offered a financial compensation package, but this has been rejected by Ryde Saints who have issued Newport a notice to quit leaving them homeless and facing the prospect of having to fulfil remaining fixtures by travelling to the mainland as the ‘away’ team.
Westhorpe: Contractually obliged to do something that cannot be done
Pete Westhorpe, secretary, Newport (IW) FC Supporters Trust said he was shocked to read about the notice to quit on social media before receiving an official letter.
He said,
“I do not believe Ryde Saints have the right to do this. We are in this position because the plan to upgrade the floodlights to the required standard – which was agreed with Ryde Saints and Island Speedway – has sadly proven to have been flawed.
“This is not something we envisaged or intended as an outcome, and as we have told Ryde Saints and Island Speedway, we certainly would not have entered the groundshare agreement if this was known at that time.
“The simple fact is the original proposal is unworkable as it won’t meet Sydenhams Wessex League requirements and an alternative solution we have explored is not possible because Island Speedway would not allow it – quite rightly – on safety grounds as it would make the track dangerous for speedway.
“This leaves us in a situation where we are contractually obliged to do something that cannot be done.
“The best solution for all parties is to sit down and negotiate a new arrangement to the benefit of all using goodwill. Newport leaving Smallbrook will mean lost revenue for Ryde Saints and also Island Speedway. That’s not productive for anyone.”
Bishop: Hope this can be sorted in an friendly and sensible way
Barry Bishop, Chairman, Island Speedway (IOW) Ltd.
“I am upset to read that Ryde Saints CIC have decided to give Newport FC notice to leave our facility at Smallbrook.
“Island Speedway was today notified by Ryde Saints CIC that they had given Newport FC notice and it was the first that we knew of any such action. Newport have tried very hard to sort this matter but unfortunately there seems no way of achieving good lighting levels on the football pitch without harming Speedway operations for safety purposes, but also for our other users such as rallies, festivals and charitable events, and as landlord of the entire complex, we cannot allow additional stanchions to be erected.
“Since the start of this season, we have found Newport’s volunteers and spectators a pleasure to have around and the income from the groundshare is an extremely important injection into our finances, as I would imagine it is to Ryde Saints. Having two football clubs and Speedway at Smallbrook gives a real boost to the local community.
“I do hope this can be sorted in an friendly and sensible way as soon as possible because it seems to me that there will be no winners if it cannot be resolved.”
News shared by Gavin on behalf of Newport Football Club.
NewsOnTheWight has contacted Ryde Saints FC for their comment on the issues raised above. Ed
Image: © Newport FC
