THERE is no doubt that the latest delay to Basingstoke Town’s plans to move from its current ground is a blow to the football club.
The borough council’s decision to withdraw its support for now for a new stadium at Old Common is a rare piece of bad news in a season that has seen the team riding high in the Conference South with the real possibility it could be promoted to the highest tier of Non-League football.
Yet the hold-up may eventually be seen as a blessing in disguise.
That may seem strange with the new stadium saga having dragged on for a decade, but it is vital that the club takes the public with it on its journey to whichever destination it ends up in.
While many people in the town support the club’s ambition to spread its wings, there is a solid feeling that the Old Common site is not the place to do it.
There is no suggestion Basingstoke Town has acted anything other than honourably and transparently.
Indeed it was the council itself that suggested Old Common.
However, pushing ahead with Old Common without the certainty that due process has been followed to the letter and in spirit risks creating a rift between the club and those who oppose the proposed move as it stands.
Seeing Basingstoke Town in the Football Conference – a national division let’s not forget – and perhaps even the Football League would be a real boost for the whole town.
But it would be much better if it was achieved with the support of everyone.
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