AS ANOTHER deadline for the start of work at Newport Football Club's proposed new stadium at Whippingham fast approaches — with no sign of diggers at the Racecourse site — its chairman and manager fear further delays is putting the once grand Isle of Wight club at risk of folding.
At a public forum on December 5, Newport and its supporters were given hope Isle of Wight Council planning conditions would be signed off in early January and work would start next month.
But optimism has given way to increased frustration, anger and deepening fears for the club's future.
The frustration is not just for Newport, but also developers, South Coast Leisure (SCL), who will build it, as planning progress appears to have stalled.
Port's chairman, Pete Westhorpe, was due to discuss options for the stadium plan with Tony Wake, an SCL director and ex-Newport FC chairman, yesterday (Thursday).
Westhorpe said the situation was of real concern as the club races against time to move into a new home for next season.
The club is currently negotiating a further season at Smallbrook as a contingency with Ryde Saints FC and Isle of Wight Speedway, with no cast-iron guarantees of success.
"People connected to the club have given up listening. They're looking for something to appear — and only when that happens, will they believe it," Westhorpe said.
"It's very, very frustrating because we expected to be there by now.
"It's very worrying, the thought of if nothing was to happen. What people need is reassurance — diggers in the ground.
"As we approach summer and the March deadline goes, where do we go from there?
"The longer it drags on, the more it puts us at risk."
Newport manager Steve Brougham, who has seen his team go top of Wessex League Division 1 this week, is deeply concerned for the future of the club.
He says players will not join the club unless work starts on the ground.
The knock-on effect is he has no reserve team to draw on, unlike Cowes Sports and East Cowes Vics, as he struggles to put out a team each week — putting promotion aims at risk.
Brougham said: "We keep getting told work is going to start...bla, bla, bla...but nothing's happening.
"But once spades go in the ground, there'll be a feelgood factor around the club and you can start planning.
"We're nomads with no ground. If we go into next season and nothing's being done, no one will play for Newport. It's a nightmare.
"We need a ground to compete at the next level and be a proper club again.
"Everyone's told it'll be built, but will we run out of time?
"People work so hard to keep Newport going. Over the past two seasons, there's been times where we've been a few days from folding.
"Imagine if Newport didn't exist. It would be a massive blow to Island football.
"We need good news. The club needs a lift."
Wake was unable to offer crumbs of comfort to the club as he seeks clarity from County Hall on planning progress.
"I hoped, in early January, to have the planning signed off, but unfortunately it is taking longer," he said.
"It's a shame this has gone on so long. It's frustrating, with the delays, we can't make a start."
"We're doing absolutely all we can. I hope we're on the home straight and over the line soon, but nothing's final until it's final. I can't magic things to happen."
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