Homeless Romford Football Club could be facing a make-or-break battle to secure its existence.

For the past few weeks the club been suspended from Division One of the Ryman League following its failure to satisfy league requirements over its arrangements to stage its home fixtures - this in the aftermath of June's devastating fire at Romford's Sungate ground in Collier Row.

Since then, Romford has played its home matches at various grounds around the county while, at the same time, its officials have been vainly trying to sort out the club's affairs and to get the ground into a fit state to play before the end of the November deadline that had been set by the league.

Romford FC member Mr Rob Godfrey explained before Christmas: "The fire at Sungate occurred at the time of a change of ownership for the ground.

"Until the hand-over goes through the club is unable to sign a lease with the new owners, and this has been the cause of the problem."

Officials for the club, which is currently languishing in a lowly position in the Division One table, thought they had partly overcome the situation when officials and sponsors of Barkingside, a club that competes in the Essex Senior League, offered Romford FC a five-year lease that, it was felt, would provide both clubs with a good deal.

However, Ryman League rules require ground sharing applications to be in by April 1 the season in advance and, in this case, that would have been prior to the Sungate fire. Additionally, Barkingside's ground fails to meet the Ryman League's strict minimum B Grade standard.

Since the league's deadline has passed, it has imposed a £1,000 fine on Romford FC - plus an extra £1,000 for each home match not played at the Sungate ground this season - a possible total of 15.

Mr Godfrey claims this is impossible for the club to finance, but Ryman League secretary Mr Nick Robinson, sees the situation somewhat differently: "The Ryman League has received a letter from Romford Football Club's sponsor Blue Ribbon offering to pay a bond. We took up the Blue Ribbon offer but they have not come back with what they offered and that's why Romford Football Club has been suspended.

"If Romford Football Club play their home games at Sungate they won't be fined, so the problem doesn't arise.

"The club does not have to renegotiate a lease as they already have one, but it must get its ground up to standard and, I'm told, that work is almost done.

"The Ryman League has tried to help Romford Football Club by allowing it to play its home matches at other venues. The team has played at Dagenham & Redbridge, which was perfectly acceptable as that club is a former member of the Ryman League and its ground meets our standards."

When asked why Romford Football Club could not be allowed to continue to play its home matches at other venues until the end of the season, Mr Robinson said: "League rules clearly state that a club needs to keep its ground in good condition throughout the season.

"Carshalton Football Club suffered a fire around the same time as the one at Sungate, and that club has got its ground back in order.

"However, it seems Romford Football Club officials now want to play at Barkingside instead, but that is unacceptable to the Ryman League.

"As soon as I am informed the Sungate ground is ready, I will visit to inspect it and, if it passes, Romford Football Club can begin to play there again within seven days."

The Ryman League is continuing to encourage Romford FC to return to its Sungate ground. As a result, vice chairman of the club, Mr Steve Gardner, is currently in talks with the new owners of the ground.

The club's reserve side is unaffected by all the upheaval as it plays its Essex & Herts Border League matches at Barkingside, where the ground is rented out on a match by match basis.

Everyone associated with Romford FC will be anxiously awaiting developments.

Mr Godfrey lamented: "This club was only reformed eight years ago after going under in 1978, and we certainly don't want to see the same thing happen all over again."

By Ivan Sage

Reporter's e-mail: ivan.sage@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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