Razzak's new stadium vow (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Razzak's new stadium vow

1:00pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in Football By John Boyman

BASINGSTOKE Town chairman Rafi Razzak says he is determined to see the club realise the goal of being financially secure in a new stadium before he steps aside.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with The Gazette, Razzak explained that there is a lot of work going on to ensure that the club will be on the move to a purpose-built stadium in the coming years.

“We are preparing plans and the borough council is being very helpful,” he said. “A number of potential sites have been recommended by the council and we have given our thoughts on them.

“My vision was to have something for the whole sporting community, but I still want the club to have a stadium up to Football League standard before I step aside.”

The multi-millionaire owner of Centerprise International, who has been a long-time backer of the football club, took over as Town chairman almost exactly two years ago.

At that time, Razzak stated that he was looking to do the job for three years before stepping down. He now admits that target was “optimistic” and insists that he will stay for as long as the club needs him.

Razzak said: “After 15 years, I do not want things to go wrong when I am so close to providing my dream for the club and the town.”

See today's Gazette for more from Razzak, including why he wants to retain the services of manager Frank Gray.