Bees in ground dispute

2:11pm Friday 16th December 2005

BEES United chairman Brian Burgess and outgoing Brentford director Doug White have become embroiled in a war of words over where a new ground for Brentford should be situated.

Burgess still backs Lionel Road, near Kew Bridge, despite White's insistence that that scheme is a "dead duck".

In a statement on the website of supporters trust Bees United Burgess said: "Lionel Road is still the first choice site and discussions are ongoing to progress this."

But White told the Times: "I have it in writing that Chancery Gate, who are concluding the purchase of Lionel Road through the Strategic Rail Authority, have no interest in selling it and are planning to develop it.

"If that is not a closed door it is a clear signal that the price would be too high.

"I have been a property developer for 20 years and it would take a miracle for us to get the Lionel Road site.

"I have identified six more realistic alternatives in the borough of Hounslow.

"I am still prepared to put up £500,000 to underwrite the costs of promoting any one of these six sites."

Burgess responded: "I have spoken to Chancery Gate and feel a deal can be done for Lionel Road. But it is always good to have a plan B."

He pointed out in his statement that White had earlier promoted the Lionel Road project.

And he added: "At a time when we should be focusing on the positive, his recent public remarks have been very disappointing."

White retorted: "My remarks about the unjust criticism directors have received from a minority of supporters are far less negative than those of Bees United in saying the club was on the verge of administration.

"Some people have accused me of trying to scupper the takeover of the club by Bees United, but that is nonsense.

"I am a member of Bees United and am still raising money for their benefit as new owners. The first of three sponsorship deals I am negotiating, totalling £1million, has now been agreed.

"This is with Qatar Airlines for an extension to the roof deal.

"They will pay £200,000 to extend the present two-year agreement, which has one year to run, by another three years."

Meanwhile, Burgess is confident the takeover of Brentford can go ahead after raising more than £5.5million, but three important meetings next week will be crucial.

On Monday there is a special board meeting of Brentford at which directors need to make a statuary declaration.

On Tuesday extraordinary general meetings of shareholders of Brentford FC and Griffin Park Stadium Ltd need to approve the takeover, which will then be discussed at a special general meeting of Bees United members.

l Brentford Women were pipped 7-5 by Battersea on Sunday despite a hat-trick by Dana Johnson and goals from Louisa Richards and Natalie Skiverton.