Camden New Journal - Sports:Jessica's double gold

Publications by New Journal Enterprises

Home

Archive

Competition

Camden New Journal - by STEVE BARNETT
Published:3 May 2007

Kentish Town football club pictured at the Wingate and Finchely ground

Delight as Kentish Town find new ‘home’ ground

Football club comes back from the brink to secure new stadium

KENTISH Town Football Club look set to survive for at least another season after finally finding a new home at Copthall Stadium in Barnet.
The agreement was made following almost 10 months of negotiations between club secretary Cliff Rhodes and representatives from Shaftesbury Athletics Club, which is based at the stadium in Greenlands Lane.
The New Journal reported last week how the semi-professional outfit, which competes in Division One of the Midlands-South Spartans League, looked to be facing possible closure in the summer as it struggled to meet the escalating costs of running a team.
But suddenly the future looks bright for Kentish Town, nicknamed the Bedouins because of their ongoing search for a permanent ground, after they agreed terms that will allow them to play home fixtures at the stadium on Saturdays and Wednesdays and train there on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Mr Rhodes said: “Everyone at the club is ecstatic. It’s a huge achievement for us to be able to secure the stadium for next season.
“We would have obviously preferred to be playing in Camden, but our hands are tied in that department due to the unavailability of suitable facilities. Ultimately we would love to play in the borough and if the opportunity arose we’d jump at the chance.”
In a frustrating season, Kentish Town failed to mount any real challenge for silverware as they were forced to play ‘home’ fixtures at neighbouring clubs Wembley, Wingate and Finchley and Hendon.
But the news of a new home ground will lift the spirits of everyone involved with the club, with Mr Rhodes hoping that the financial strain could soon be a thing of the past.
He added: “Securing the stadium will help us to hopefully secure more realistic funding opportunities, such as advertising and gate receipts. Attendance figures will be a lot more lucrative for us now, and that would be a life-saver for the club.”
There was further good news when former Nigerian international Clement Temile, who has proved a major asset for the club, agreed to stay for another season.

Comment on this article.
(You must supply your full name and email address for your comment to be published)

Name:

Email:

Comment: