Petworth Football Club hits back over '˜unfair treatment'

Treasurer Vincent Phillips said: “We are in favour of these changes, but feel we were unfairly treated. It was stated ‘youth cricket made more money in a one evening quiz night than the football club made in 12 months’.

“This was incorrect and misleading. To add further unwarranted comment, to say ‘they would be better off without the football club’ was insulting. The football club has always played its part as a member of the Joint Sports Association, both financially and administratively.

“It is unfortunate when people start to compare and denigrate one club against another. All clubs have their peaks and troughs and one club may have strength in membership and greater ability to raise funds, but commitment from another club whose circumstances may differ should not be treated with such disdain.

“The football club will continue to support this new and exciting chapter of sport in the Park, but let’s have fair and balanced comment.”

It was the sports association which had suggested the town council should take a new lease with the National Trust, said Mr Phillips. “The association felt this option would ensure continuity and help to provide and promote sport in the Park in the future.”

He said the association’s reasoning was that income had been reduced over the last five years without the cricket club and with the stoolball club returning to Tillington.

“The football and stoolball clubs had worked hard to maintain the facility in this time, but it was recognised support was not strong enough to sustain the association. However, a resurgence of the cricket club was getting underway with great support and enthusiasm and this was very encouraging.

“At this stage it was understandable that the National Trust would prefer to do business with the town council and give them the continuity they required.”

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