Trowbridge in disarray after resignations

11:06am Monday 28th April 2008

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Trowbridge Town are in turmoil after the resignation of their chairman, secretary and manager following their groundshare debacle.

Manager Paul Shanley, chairman John Fitchen and secretary Robin Sims have all left the Hellenic League Division One West outfit after the Wiltshire FA told them they could not groundshare with Westbury.

They were due to leave Wood Marsh in the summer and had also held talks and hosted a game at Chippenham Town's Hardenhuish Park ground earlier this season.

But, despite league bosses being happy with the plans, the Wiltshire FA told the club if they shared with Westbury, according to rules, they would no longer be considered a senior side.

They would then not be allowed to play against senior clubs, including the ones in their league.

Businessman Alan Partner had been a central figure in developing the plans for their new ground and was briefly involved with Chippenham's plans for a new ground last year.

Issues arose about who would own the lease of the ground and he departed just two weeks after being appointed to the board.

Partner's company, SKB Sports Villages, had developed a scheme to turn round the Hardenhuish Park pitch, build an 1,800-seater stand and finance the deal with two public pitches sheltered by domes, similar to those in operation at Cirencester Town's ground.