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Council rejects blame for Barnet FC move

4:50pm Wednesday 14th December 2011 in News By Kate Jenkinson

THE Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, has denied responsibility for Barnet Football Club's decision to quit Underhill.

Barnet FC chairman Tony Kleanthous has announced to supporters that the Bees will be leaving their home of 104 years, citing long standing lease issues with the council.

Cllr Cornelius has refuted the statements, arguing that the council had made the club a viable alternative.

"I just don't recognise this version of events," he said.

"We have already offered Mr Kleanthous a 15 year extension to his lease at a cost of £7,000 a year. That would let him run the ground safely at its current capacity.

"The club has also been offered a licence for vehicles to use Priory Grove for a nominal fee 'whilst the club's Underhill land is used as a football stadium'.

"I can only assume this latter point is the stumbling block."

Mr Kleanthous said: "This council will never know what it had until it has lost it," he said.

Mr Kleanthous is also angry with the council for seemingly paving the way for Premiership rugby side Saracens to relocate to Barnet Copthall.

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Comments(10)

Andrew L says...
5:00pm Wed 14 Dec 11

As Cllr Cornelius himself would say, this is "Rubbish".

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GRG says...
5:01pm Wed 14 Dec 11

Does the leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius, actually know anything at all?

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GRG says...
5:05pm Wed 14 Dec 11

PS..Mr Cornelius, why not do the decent thing and resign? You are not up to the job.

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barnetpete says...
5:16pm Wed 14 Dec 11

What's the 'nominal fee'?! And this isn't about one incident this is just a forcing of the hand, the council did the damage years ago, this is the straw that broke the camels back.

I'll never forget the Councilors shouting from the chamber windows "we won the election" to protesting Barnet fans years ago. They have never valued the community asset and they will now lose it.

Sad day but onwards and upwards for Barnet FC.

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Xtrol568 says...
7:48pm Wed 14 Dec 11

I find it shocking that given the current economic crisis, a council is taking such an anti-business line, surely they should be supporting businesses? This will not just affect the supporters and employees of Barnet FC and all of those who benefit via the clubs community measures, but also surrounding businesses, many who rely on match-day supporters to keep going - this will cost jobs and businesses. A dark day for Barnet FC, a dark day for Barnet.

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BarnetSteve says...
9:11am Fri 16 Dec 11

This Council cannot see the hypocrisy of their dealings with BFC when compared to Sarries. They GIVE copthall away but refuse to allow BFC to develop a decent ground anywhere in the borough. BFC punch above their weight and need better facilities to maintain league status, if LBB choose to quibble over a side road thats been in use for years then what hope is there.

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chris stevens says...
10:19am Fri 16 Dec 11

Blaming the council for our own decision to leave Underhill is like blaming the train driver when you jump in front of his train. Kleanthous has just thrown his toys out of the pram, he is incapable of negotiating if he doesn't get his own way.
Wouldn't like to be married to him;-)
Bee Army! Come on tonight, gotta beat those Cheltenham boys in the snow.

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MichaelH says...
10:50am Fri 16 Dec 11

Question for chris stevens:

Barnet FC has been trying to develop a viable modern Football League-compliant stadium within the LB Barnet for the last 15 years.

Two proposals, one at Copthall, the other at South Underhill, have fallen through, the latter in 2002.

Please give one example where Barnet Council has worked with the club during the last 9 years to help them achieve this objective?

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chris stevens says...
8:41pm Sun 18 Dec 11

Question for MichaelH:

"Please give one example where Tony Kleanthous has worked with Barnet Council during the last 9 years?"

Tony appears to be obstinate and perverse, he does not tolerate compromise or quiet negotiation, but only respects megaphone public diplomacy.

Another question: "How come Saracens can negotiate with the council but BFC cannot?"

Answer: Because Saracens are more professional than we are at Underhill.

Question: "Why is Tony (who owns the freeholds to Underhill and the cricket club) so anxious to move the club to a new stadium?"

Answers on a postcard please........

Btw, I do not believe for one second we will leave Underhill at the end of this season.

COYB!

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redrenault says...
7:45am Tue 20 Dec 11

It is digusting that the saracens acquired a 99 year lease for £1 ?? what the hell is going on there. The site is not suitable for 10,000. Barnet should update the ground and stay at underhill where they have built up a solid base and history .. If the council know better then they should highlight to the community their rationale.

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