Tory turns Bee

1:25pm Thursday 6th January 2005

Barnet FC's hopes of a resolution to the long-running stadium saga have been given a boost after a Conservative councillor told town hall colleagues they would be very foolish' not to help the club more.

Councillor Terry Burton, representing the East Barnet ward, said at a meeting of members: "We would be very foolish as a council not to find a way to help this club in anyway we can. We owe it to our residents.

"No wonder there is so much support for this historic club to remain part of its town Barnet. They are part of our history."

Mr Burton went to his first ever football match in October Barnet's 5-0 demolition of Dagenham and Redbridge describing it as an exhilarating experience'. "It certainly gave me a whole new understanding about this wonderful borough asset," he added.

He implored council leader Victor Lyon to resume negotiations with the club and warned fellow councillors not to sit back, saying they needed to get this unfortunate situation resolved once and for all'.

His belated not to mention surprising show of support was welcomed by the club and the campaign group Keep Barnet Alive(KBA).

After having a plan to build a new stadium south of their Underhill ground turned down by Barnet Council, the club claim the authority is not assisting them in finding a different site.Barnet FC PR consultant Dennis Signy said: "We welcome Mr Burton's common-sense words. I must stress Barnet FC has no political allegiance and is not anti-Tory we have just fought our corner on this one particular issue with the present administration, an issue that has cost us and the council taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds.

"Tory councillors I have met in recent weeks have similarly privately told me they would like an end to the stalemate, which is damaging their image, and I would urge them, too, to speak up."

A KBA statement read: "We are delighted that a Conservative councillor has spoken up for the club in this way. KBA is committed to working with all parties, and is keen to find a resolution to the club's problems as soon as possible.

"We want to send a clear signal that, as Councillor Burton says, the council cannot just give up' on Barnet FC. At the same time we are committed to working with the council to find a way forward. We hope this can mark the start of a new effort to find a mutually acceptable solution."