FOOTBALL: Witney are booted out of stadium (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: Witney are booted out of stadium

10:00am Tuesday 29th January 2013 in Headlines By Nick Farrant, Sports reporter specialising in Non League Football. Call me on 01865 425488

Witney Town will play their home matches at Carterton FC for the rest of the season after being booted out of the Witney Community Stadium.

Landlords On The Edge Ltd have decided not to issue a lease to the parent charity running the Uhlsport Hellenic League club.

Witney Town chairman Dave Donovan said the club had exhausted every alternative before deciding on the groundshare option.

He added: “It came as an immense shock to be advised of the decision of the landowners.

“I have spent the last few weeks exploring every avenue open to me to try and resolve the issue so that we could continue to play football at Marriotts Stadium (Witney Community Stadium) but, along with my committee, have had to accept defeat in my efforts.

“I fully intend working towards the re-establishment of a town football club in Witney and have already begun conversations to that end.”

Donovan went on: “Initially, the agreement is for the rest of the season and possibly for the next two seasons.

“I’m happy because it means that the club can continue, but sad that we’re not continuing here (at Downs Road). The long-term plan is to get the club back into the town as soon as possible.”

No-one from On The Edge Ltd was available for comment.