Supporters' breakaway plan to set up new club (From Barry And District News)

Supporters' breakaway plan to set up new club

A GROUP of Barry Town Football Club supporters have discussed going it alone - and setting up their own Barry club to play at Jenner Park.

The fans, who are frustrated by the current impasse between the Vale of Glamorgan Council and owner Stuart Lovering, held a public meeting to discuss proposals for the club.

All the fans who attended the meeting are unhappy at the situation the club finds itself in, and are worried that it could become extinct by next season if something radical is not done.

Chairman of the supporters, Tim Johnson, ran the meeting, where members of the coaching staff and two Vale of Glamorgan councillors were also present.

Cllr Nic Hodges spoke about the 37,000 tax bill owed by Barry Town.

He said: "This amount is too much - but the Vale of Glamorgan Council did not set the bill. It was the district valuation officers.

"Once the bill has been set it is our duty as a council to collect the money owed. If the bill is not paid then the business, as Barry Town is, becomes a debtor.

"We have to be impartial to all businesses so it would not be possible to write this debt off.

"I know that in the past there has been some sponsorship given to the club and this is something I and Cllr Barry Shaw will be asking about."

Tim Johnson said: "This is one of the most difficult times in the club's history.

"We have to decide what to do. One of the proposals is to form our own club.

"We think such a club would have to play in the South Wales amateur or South Wales Senior League.

"Each supporter would have an equal share and vote on club issues.

"We want to play home games at Jenner Park because that is the home of Barry Town," he added.

"This is the joint fourth-largest town in Wales so we need a team which represents our status.

"It would cost us 70 a game to play at the stadium."

This figure has been confirmed by a council spokesman.

Another proposal was to set up a meeting with the Vale of Glamorgan Council and Stuart Lovering, to discuss the situation.

The fans who attended the meeting at the Castle Hotel agreed that they are happy with the managerial team and what they are producing with limited resources, but want to see the club move forward.

No final decisions were reached on the night.