Arbitration decision put on hold (From Northwich Guardian)
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Tribunal delays verdict on whether football authorities were right to refuse Northwich Victoria ground move
4:18pm Friday 19th October 2012 in Sport
By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer
Arbitration decision put on hold
EXPERTS trained to solve sporting conflicts have delayed until next month a decision on whether Northwich Victoria should have been allowed to move home grounds.
A tribunal at Wembley Stadium decided yesterday, Thursday, to adjourn a case involving the club, the Football Association and the Northern Premier League to gather further evidence from each party.
It means that Vics will continue to host opponents at Stafford for the foreseeable future.
“The hearing was adjourned following legal submissions regarding the validity and interpretation of a defence offered by the Northern Premier League and the FA,” said Graham Bean, whose Football Factors firm is representing the club.
“A decision is now due in the middle of next month, but what is clear now is that this is a matter that could be dealt with more practically if the league was prepared to swallow some of its pride.”
Invited to by the Guardian, the league declined to comment.
Yesterday’s day-long hearing was held in secret, with each side forbidden from talking publicly about any evidence or argument used.
Vics owner Jim Rushe asked the league in June to allow Northwich to use a pitch in Greater Manchester that used to be home to North West Counties League club Flixton.
But officials refused, saying the request was made too late – the deadline to have security of tenure [a long-term lease or ground share agreement] for the following season is March 31 in the one previous – for a facility not up to scratch to host matches at a higher level.
The FA agreed at an appeal later the same month.
The Guardian asked the governing body to publish the written reasons for its decision, but did not receive a response.
Tribunal members must make up their mind if the football authorities were right to refuse permission for Vics to move from Stafford, 40 miles from their former Victoria Stadium home.
They can annul the original decision, but it is not for them to suggest a solution.
“At the time [in March] we chose Stafford as a base for this season because the team was in a play-offs position and could have been promoted to the Conference,” said Mr Rushe told BBC Radio Manchester last week.
“No other local ground was up to scratch.”
He believes it would be better commercially and logistically for Northwich, evicted in January after land on which their former ground is built was bought by a chemicals manufacturer based next door, to be based at Flixton.
He says he has improved facilities there too.
No FA inspector has approved any of the changes, although the club says it has invited one to visit.
Asked to verify that claim, the FA did not reply.
Just once has more than 100 people watched Vics play at Stafford this term, with Market Drayton Town the only club in Evo-Stik NPL Division One South to have a smaller average attendance.
Comments(17)
Antony Rogers
says...
6:51pm Fri 19 Oct 12
amnvfc wrote:I've just asked Bean that very question on Twitter...... https://twitter.com/
If each side is forbidden from talking about this tribunal, how did Graham Bean get away with tweeting yesterday "Northwich Vics arbitration hearing adjourned following legal arguments after FA and NPL have made basic errors in their own rules!" That may or may not be the case, but he is hardly the most impartial observer. And if he sees fit to verge on a breach of confidentiality when it suits his case, maybe he should not have complained when the Supporters' Trust board informed its members of abortive discussions held with Jim Rushe. Goose and gander.
FootballFactors
I may have hit a nerve..... Because my very polite question was answered by blocking me from his account.
This two faced hypocrite who talks down to people for breaking his confidentially but when the shoe is on the other foot he employs a double standards policy. He's well suited to represent Rushe.
jamo
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8:01pm Fri 19 Oct 12
Antony Rogers
says...
11:54pm Fri 19 Oct 12
How about you Jamo? Are you a hypocrite? Hiding behind a computer screen using a pseudonym to discredit me. Grow some and post using your real name and add some credibility to your comment!
I'm proud to use my real name, I stand by my every word, take full responsibility for my comments and will be held fully accountable for voicing my views and opinions.
You're just a coward!
jamo
says...
7:55pm Sun 21 Oct 12
Antony Rogers
says...
9:06pm Sun 21 Oct 12
This comment section isn't about me, it's about Rushe and his farcical attempt to move Vics from Stafford to his permanent home in Greater Manchester.
If you wish to continue insulting my good name, I suggest you get on the correct article.
'Fan lobbies for vote on new club'
While you're at it why not send an anonymous vile email message to my community project email address, noted at the bottom of the Northwich Guardian Newspaper article, you won't be the first anonymous stalker.
22 years service in HMF's. Served in Bosnia, Iraq and three tours in Afghanistan and I have to put up with this abuse from an anonymous over inflated egotistical coward. All this for expressing my democratic right to freedom of speech and freedom to vote.
jamo
says...
1:40pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Antony Rogers
says...
3:17pm Mon 22 Oct 12
Antony Rogers
says...
4:21pm Mon 22 Oct 12
There's only one person deflecting attention and that's you!
Your stories are funnier that the Bean o!
Antony Rogers
says...
4:23pm Mon 22 Oct 12
There's only one person deflecting attention and that's you!
Your stories are funnier than the Bean o.
AFC Northwich
says...
6:22pm Mon 22 Oct 12
A word of advice! Stop posting!
The sensible readers can see what's going on here and on the new club article. Its now a propaganda war and youre getting dragged into a slagging match.
We know why you've posted using your real name but it gives idiots like these the opportunity to personally target you, insult you in an attempt to get a reaction.
You've taken a lot of weight onto your shoulders by collecting petition signatures for a Trust members vote on a new club, I wouldn't have done it. But now you have to take a step back and let fate take over and play its course. By the way I'm voting YES!
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
AFC Northwich
says...
6:56pm Mon 22 Oct 12
jamo wrote:I was at the FC match, it was a very emotional day, with the red card protest and the unplanned counter protest, made worse by Rushe showing fans a red card. We were all upset and tempers flared from the so called split.
You have been in the Army! Does not make you eligible to bully Vics fans because they dont agree with you. I dont want to know your personal life story yawn yawn. And as for the e-mails, that isnt me. I wouldn't mind betting that you have just dreamt it up for a sympathy vote to cover upand deflect attention away from your hideous bullying of Vics fans on that Trust forum and the threats of Physical violence that you made at Vics fans at the last game of last season!
I personally witnessed Tonys outburst at the final whistle, as he wanted the drum (His property) to remain in the stand as a last mark of respect to a once proud, dignified and historical football club and there was absolutely no threat of violence towards any fans.
jamo
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10:26pm Mon 22 Oct 12
AFC Northwich
says...
11:08pm Mon 22 Oct 12
In my opinion you have a hidden agenda and a motive, what would that agenda and motive be? To discredit and disrupt a democratic proposal for a democratic meeting of members to take a democratic vote?
Well I'm sure that the sensible readers on here can see through your smoke and mirrors and bullying attitude, in an attempt to change public opinion.
Now I suggest that you speak to the two fans that were removing the drum from the stands and ask them if they were threatened. That's if you know who they were, I do, do you want me to ask them on your anonymous behalf?
jamo
says...
2:21pm Tue 23 Oct 12
Genuine fan
says...
11:22pm Tue 30 Oct 12
AFC Northwich
says...
5:53am Fri 2 Nov 12
http://company-direc
tor-check.co.uk/dire
ctor/909163385
amnvfc says...
5:56pm Fri 19 Oct 12