Sport / Football
Rovers stadium move off after court ruling
Bristol Rovers’ hopes of moving to a new stadium were dashed as a high court judge ruled that Sainsbury’s were not duty bound to buy the Memorial Ground.
The club needed Sainsbury’s to go through with its contract to buy the old Horfield stadium in order that they could develop their new £40 million stadium in Stoke Gifford.
Rovers said they were “disappointed” with the judgement and the way Sainsbury’s “reneged” on the deal. The club added that it is likely to appeal against the decision.
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Mrs Justice Proudman delivered her final ruling at the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday morning.
The relationship between the club and supermaket initially broke down over a failed application from the supermarket to extend delivery hours for their planned new superstore.
Sainsbury’s argued in court that they had applied to change delivery times on the planning application, but failed, leaving them “entitled” to terminate their contract.
But David Matthias QC, representing Bristol Rovers, claimed that Sainsbury’s always “wanted an exit route if there was one” after poor financial results forced the supermarket to rethink their national strategy to build new superstores.
Matthias argued that after the supermarket failed to change delivery times it “pulled down the hatches” on the contract.
But Justice Proudman ruled in favour of the supermarket.
In a statement on the club’s website, Bristol Rovers said it has “strong legal grounds” to pursue an appeal against the judgement.
It added: “We consider that Sainsbury’s acted in bad faith and did their utmost to stall the purchase at every possible juncture.”
Sainsbury’s said in a a statement: “The judge made no findings of Sainsbury’s acting in bad faith with the club.”
The club said it was still “100 per cent committed” to building a new stadium.
Bristol Rovers director Nick Higgs was not present in the courtroom when the final judgement was delivered.
His club will be liable to a portion of the court costs, according to Bristol Rovers reporter James McNamara. A costs hearing will take place at a later date.
Bristol mayor George Ferguson called the judgement a “tragic” decision.
MP Charlotte Leslie said she was “devastated” by the news which left her “speechless”.