Town meeting to plan future (From Barry And District News)

Town meeting to plan future

BARRY Town supporters met with chairman Stuart Lovering at the club last Tuesday to voice their concerns over the club's future.

Stuart Lovering said: "We have not given up on keeping our place in the Premiership. We are down but not out. We are considering making an appeal to the Football Association of Wales over the decision to allow Airbus to ground-share with Conway."

Terry Cooper, of Colbrook Road, owner of transport firm EST who sponsor the team, said: "Can we afford to stay up financially? Have we got the money to foot the wage bill needed to be successful in the Premiership? Wouldn't it be better to go down, regroup, get the finances right and come back stronger?"

Stuart Lovering replied: "I don't think we should give up the fight to be in the Premiership. If Colin Addison had been in charge of the team from the start of the season, we would have finished mid-table at least.

"Because of the state of the accounts when I took over, I honestly don't know what state the club is in financially. I have an idea but until the figures come through I won't be able to set a budget for next season. We may have £300 a week to spend it may be £3,000, I don't know."

Terry Cooper said: "Will Colin Addison be staying on?"

Stuart Lovering answered: "Ideally we would keep Colin but again we need to look at the accounts. We will be holding discussions with Colin when we have set a budget for next season. Colin will then have to decide whether he can work with that budget.

Stuart Lovering added: "There is money to invest in the team but I want the footballing side to pay for itself. I don't see any reason why we can't attract £20,000 to £30,000 worth of sponsorship next year. We will also have to improve our gates. Our last home gate of 185 was dire, considering this is a club that has won seven Premiership titles."

Supporter Colin Churchill, of Maes-y-Cwm, said: "It seems to me that unless the team is right everything goes into a downward spiral. Gates drop and you lose sponsorship and TV money."