City of London Football Club may have to fold, says chair

“We will probably have to downsize, or sadly the club will have to fold,” warned the chairman of City of London Football Club.

Eamon Gately says that plans to develop Finsbury Leisure Centre are “not viable for the community”.

Islington Council plans to build 198 homes on the site. The plans would see four football pitches shrunk and placed on the roof of a new leisure centre – if approved.

The council said it had “carefully considered” the layout of the planned buildings to minimise the impact on neighbours.

Mr Gately told BBC London: “It will have a massive impact on the football club.

“Their proposal is for two to three year project to build the building.

“They have no idea where they’re going to put these kids in between that.

“We will probably have to downsize, or sadly the club will have to fold.

“Where do these kids go? They will join a different gang. They won’t be a football gang anymore, it’ll be a street gang.”

Former player turned football coach Les Ferdinand showed his support for the club on Wednesday with a visit.

“I know what this means to the community and other communities like it,” he said.

“I understand that we do need social housing, we do need more housing.

“But at the same time you bring another 100 families, how many more kids are you going to have?

“Hopefully the council will listen.”

Eva Guerra, from EC1VOICES, the campaign group trying to save the pitches, said: “I think that there is a real division what the council thinks the community needs, versus what the community and people living in this area think and know they need.

“We’re all unified under the need for this space to be protected.

“This place is so special. It’s a rare oasis of greenery in an otherwise very densely populated area of the country.

“It is about a space for kids and young people – there is something really unique that passes here.”

A spokesperson for Islington Council said: “The new 5/6-a-side rooftop football pitches will be high-quality, built to FA standard specifications, and include a spectator area.

“Subject to planning permission, this project will deliver 100 new council homes, 98 homes for sale to help pay for them, an NHS GP medical centre and new leisure facilities. Residents are strongly encouraged to submit their comments on the planning application on the Islington Council website.”