Port Vale: We'd help out Coventry City, says Norman Smurthwaite
PORT Vale would allow cash-strapped Coventry City to play at Vale Park, chief executive Norman Smurthwaite has revealed.
The Sky Blues could be forced out of the Ricoh Arena in a row over unpaid rent.
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Norman Smurthwaite would allow Coventry City to play at Vale Park.
The League One side have a Boxing Day deadline to settle a £1.1m bill from stadium owners Arena Coventry Ltd or face a winding-up petition.
City are thought to have held provisional talks with Blue Square North side Hinckley United, but Coventry-born millionaire Smurthwaite says Vale would help out.
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"If City end up needing a stadium, I'd be prepared to do a ground share," he said.
"They haven't asked, but I'd to do it until the end of this season, though I wouldn't do it next season because we'll be playing them in League One.
"We certainly wouldn't let them come for free. But I would enter dialogue with them."
Smurthwaite, who completed his £1.25m takeover of the Valiants with chairman Paul Wildes last month, can see the benefits of the move.
"I wouldn't make them an offer of using our ground – they'd have to come to me," he added, "but it would put us in a better place from a networking point of view.
"We could accommodate them on a pay-as-you-play arrangement, as long as it didn't conflict with our schedule.
"I grew up in Coventry, but it wouldn't be a decision I make with my heart. It would be a commercial arrangement for the benefit of this club and it applies to any club, not just them."
A Football League spokesman said any ground-share proposal would need the approval of the board.
"The clubs would need to agree the principals and practicalities of any arrangement and come to us with a proposal," he said.
"It's something we would need to look into."
Port Vale Supporters' Club chairman Pete Williams believes it would be a good move.
"If we can bring in extra income for ourselves, then it's a win-win situation," he said.
"If we could help a fellow club in a difficult time, that would be great."
Comments
by JL353
Sunday, December 16 2012, 12:16AM
“Laythevale, you seem to have a totally irrational dislike of Pete Williams - why? did he run over your cat or something? I can't believe quite how petty and vindictive your comments are - but then, you always are, on here, so I guess at least you're consistent - I reckon you could make milk sour just by looking at it.......
So let me explain in very simple terms, so that you can understand what I'm saying......
Pete is Chairman of Port Vale Supporters Club, which, in case you didn't know, is the official body which represents the views of people who support Port Vale Football Club. Membership is open to anyone, and the post of chairman, is, I believe, elected by the membership. That means that Mr Williams has been elected by his fellow Port Vale supporters to represent their views, which is why the Sentinel would be quoting his opinion. I hope you understood that, it's kind of obvious to most people.
So what gives you the right ? Did you have a meeting with yourself and elect yourself to be chair of something? It wouldn't surprise me.....maybe you could ask your friends to vote for you, if you had any.......but then it's much easier to carp, snipe and sneer than to do anything remotely constructive isn't it......sad, sad person that you are, I would wish you a happy christmas, but I know you wouldn't enjoy it.......”
by laythevale
Saturday, December 15 2012, 3:34PM
“What has Pete Williams got to do with this?
As he doesn't represent the fans and has no equity in the club, his opinion counts for nothing.”