Fylde RU club tackle their future

Under pressure from bankers to clear a £360,000 deficit, Woodlands Memorial Ground, owned by Fylde Rugby Union Football Club Ltd, has come up with a trio of options which may save the day.

The special general meeting of members on March 26 will determine which of the alternatives is the best for the future.

Favourite is the sale or lease of a three acre slice of the ground (approximately one pitch) which would keep activities on a single site.

This would enable directors to concentrate on redeveloping the remaining three pitches and facilities such as the clubhouse.

However, some members are reported to be backing plans to dispose of almost two pitches (six acres) and relocate junior activities at a second site, while others even feel the third choice to put the entire 12 acres up for grabs and move to a new location may be in the best interests for the ailing club.

Fylde Rugby Club chairman, Arnie Halford, told the Citizen: "We meet on the evening of March 26 to come to a decision on our future.

"The general committee of the club is recommending that we only sell one pitch of about three acres as if we had to move anywhere it would be a tragedy. We need all the support we can get and if we move premises we may lose the vital support we already have."

Mr Halford could not comment on which particular pitch would go under the hammer or who may be in line to purchase the land.

The club which has no benefactor or sponsor could receive around £1 million for commercial development of the prime land or £500,000 for residential development.

Speculation of supermarket chain Safeway ditching St Annes plans and moving to the Blackpool Road site following further disputes in the St Andrews Road North area has been denied.

Spokesperson Tracy Hostler told the Citizen: "It's not our policy to comment on such rumours."

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