Uncertainty surrounding the future of Wymondham Town Football Club has finally been put to bed, after an agreement was reached over a new lease.
At Tuesday night’s Wymondham Town Council meeting, eight out of 13 councillors voted in favour of a resolution to see a new lease for the club’s tenancy at King’s Head Meadow drawn up.
The 25-year lease will have a first year rent of £2,500, before increasing it to £3,500 in the second year and £4,500 from then on. Although less than the £9,500 price quoted by a district valuer, it is a sharp rise for the club, which previously paid just £75 a year for the lease.
They will take responsibility for maintaining the ground.
It comes after lease negotiations ground to a halt when the council suggested a 12-year lease at £4,500 a year.
In a letter written to the Mercury, club chairman Andy Gardiner said that the deal was a “fair solution” which preserves the meadow’s future for at least 25 years.
He said that the board, who rescued the club from mounting debts, has worked “tirelessly to try and save the club” and appealed to residents of the town to “use or lose” it.
“Come and support the sides on a Saturday and Sunday and enjoy the excellent club and bar facilities that are open to all and not just club members. Please come and look at the venue and consider it for your parties and functions,” he said.
Mr Gardiner thanked town mayor Joe Mooney for sorting out a “complete mess” in a “professional and amicable way”, saying that he deserves “absolute credit”.
To read Mr Gardiner’s full letter, see this week’s Wymondham Mercury.