Heated Debate Erupts at Harrow Council Over Football Club’s Need for Land

A council meeting got really heated. They debated a permanent ground for a team. Everyone said they wanted to help the team, but the council leader accused his opponent of lying and abusing his position.

National Harrow FC presented a petition with 4,000 signatures. The club wants land at The Old Lyonian Sports Ground for a permanent home ground.

The club chairman, Adrian Avasalcai, spoke. He said the club might close without a ground. This would affect kids, teens, and adults. A developer offered a field to them, a limited chance to get playing space.

The petition asked for council support. Council Leader Paul Osborn spoke up. He said the council doesn’t own the land, and no building plans exist yet. He noted getting permission could be tough. Promises now would be illegal, he thinks.

Osborn said housing on open space goes against policy and London’s plans. He said the council wants to help and will meet with the team soon. Still, he doubts this plan will work.

Labour leader David Perry disagreed. He saw nothing illegal in the request and called the reply very rigid. He told kids and families to not give up. He said to push the council to support them somehow.

Osborn told people not to be tricked. He said Perry abused his position. He added that Perry can’t deliver because Perry knows the rules. Giving the land would be illegal.

A council member told Labour members to be quiet, saying they’re just playing politics. He challenged them to find a good venue.

Since spring, the council looked at other options. The parks department found nothing free. They asked 25 schools about fields. Nothing met the club’s needs for size, and changing rooms were also an issue.

Osborn said they will keep helping the team and need to find a site that works. He says it is very hard to find sites, but everyone is trying to work with them to find a venue.

Osborn stated the site is bad for housing. Finding a new ground is hard for the team, so expecting help now is unrealistic. The council can’t promise building there yet, as no plans exist.

Osborn said he values honesty. He cannot promise something impossible, as raising hopes for applause is bad. Saying yes would be simple, but that would mean he is lying.

The council will review the petition now. Avasalcai will keep fighting for the kids, wanting them to have good facilities. He thanked the 4,000 petition signers and is committed to making this real.