Sport / Football
Fans react to Rovers stadium news
Fans and residents reacted to Monday’s High Court ruling which dealt a crushing blow to Bristol Rovers’ plans to build a new stadium.
The newly-promoted side took Sainsbury’s to court over claims the company had gone back on its agreement to buy the Memorial Ground, a deal which would have provided the funds for a new £40 million home in Stoke Gifford.
Bristol Rovers Supporters’ Club chairman Jim Chappell said: “It’s a big disappointment but we’re Rovers, we’re used to disappointment.”
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He added: “I don’t suppose it will have any immediate effect on the club, it will do if it means we can’t build a new ground in the future.”
Michael Worley, 68, of Bradley Stoke, compared his club’s current predicament to that of fierce rivals Bristol City.
“It’s a step backwards for Rovers,” he admitted. “Bristol City have gone through a very similar thing where they wanted to have a brand new stadium but they’ve had to cut their costs.”
Ian Miller, 46, of Bishopston, said he was surprised by the news.
“I really thought that the courts would make Sainsbury’s follow through,” he explained. “The club and the fans need a bigger stadium, the current one is not efficient.”
His views were shared by Susie Patterson, 39, a social worker living on Gloucester road. She said: “I think it would have probably been a good injection of new life and the Rovers ground probably is a bit tired now.”
Another lifelong supporter, Josh Brake, 17, from Patchway, who used to play for the club’s youth squad, called the judgement “devastating”.
But he believes the club didn’t have enough financial power in the first place.
He said: “It was a nice thought knowing that we might have got a new ground but it doesn’t surprise me with the funding we’ve had – it was a bit obvious.”
Bristol Rovers are planning to appeal against the judgement.