Ground wars (From Barry And District News)

Ground wars

BARRY'S newest football club, Barry FC, look set to go head-to-head with one of its oldest, Barry Town, in the battle for Jenner Park.

Both clubs have applied to the Vale council to be the primary users of the stadium.

The new club unveiled their first manager, former Barry Town player Ashley Griffiths, at the annual general meeting of Barry Town Supporters Club (BTSC) on Monday night.

And at the same meeting, BTSC voted unanimously to change allegiance to the newly-formed club.

Barry FC was set up by BTSC to protest against Barry Town owner Stuart Lovering, after a series of high-profile disagreements between the two parties.

Chairman of Barry FC Tim Johnson, who is the former chairman of BTSC, said at the Monday night meeting: "This is a momentous day in Barry's football history.

"By adopting the name Barry FC we are returning to our roots and reclaiming senior football for the whole community."

Owner of Barry Town, Stuart Lovering, reacted to the news of a new Barry football club by saying: "There are thousands of people in Barry who follow Barry Town in Division One, and have not the slightest interest in a Dog and Duck Second Eleven playing at the bottom of the Vale League."

Barry FC will play in the Vale of Glamorgan League this forthcoming season (2005/06), which includes last year's champions N&M Construction.

New manager Ashley Griffiths, aged 44, is a former Barry Town stalwart.

Griffiths played his last game for Barry Town just last year, after twenty years of loyal service.

He lives in Cliffwood View, Barry, and works as a team manager for Bridgend Borough Council.

Mr Griffiths said: "I do not want to hear Stuart Lovering's name again. Let's just go forward and enjoy it."