District council attempt to bring football club home to Newark
A council will work with Newark and Sherwood United in their move to Collingham.
District council leader David Lloyd said the authority and the football club had discussed plans to bring the club back into Newark, specifically the YMCA Community and Activity Village.
However, former Newark FC have decided to pitch up at the home of Collingham FC — who are very happy to host.
"We all recall the sticky circumstances that arrived at Lowfield Lane and we made a commitment to our residents, not necessarily the club, that we would seek to do all that we could to bring Newark FC back into the district and or area," said Mr Lloyd at a cabinet meeting.
"What this report demonstrates is that there was clear cooperation to do so and albeit it might have been temporary for two to three years, the intent was that it would enable the club to be playing from the YMCA.
"Subsequent to that, instead they are choosing to play out of the Collingham FC site."
Mr Lloyd said there would be some issues with the move, and that the council would work with residents in terms of land assembly and carparking.
He added the recent news of new seating at the Community and Activity Village would still serve a purpose.
He said: "They've clearly chosen that because it's more long term and suitable to them, so be it. But the need for those stadia and other facilities continues — Newark Town and RHP, it would enable to go up the various steps. There's a clear investment there in local football and indeed increase the versatility of the site to host festivals or activities which is important to remember.
"And while the YMCA looks as though it's just sports provision, that's not its raison d'être — it's using sport as a means of engaging people where upon then they enter the various educational and sports schemes.
"But Newark and Sherwood United, Newark FC as was, is coming home — as I believe the football expression goes."
