Nowhere to go for homeless Galacticos (From Droitwich Advertiser)

Nowhere to go for homeless Galacticos

6:03pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Local

THE manager of an over-35s football team has warned they are in danger of folding after being told by Bromsgrove Sporting they can no longer player at the Victoria Ground.

Sporting Galacticos are struggling to find a new venue after receiving a letter from the Rouslers informing them they could no longer play at the club on Sundays.

Bromsgrove have told a number of clubs such as Galacticos and Victoria Barnt Green they must find new pitches next season after striking a deal with Earlswood to play at the Birmingham Road ground.

Galacticos changed their name from Alvechurch 18 months ago after being asked by Sporting’s commercial director Rob McLaren to switch from Lye Meadow to the Victoria Ground.

They play 10 home games a season, paying £100 for each match and also generated approximately £1,000 in bar takings.

Manager Steve Motteram was also part-time groundsman at Victoria Ground and he helped with of the work to get the surface up to scratch when the Rouslers filled the void left by Bromsgrove Rovers.

“We feel very let down about what has happened,” he said.

“Sporting told the community they wanted to forge links with the town and now they are dumping local teams for a side that does not even play in Bromsgrove.

“I know it’s all about generating money to keep club alive but this decision has put our team’s future in jeopardy and unless we find somewhere we may have to fold.”

Galacticos plays in the Central Warwickshire over-35s Premier Division League, which features former Football League stalwarts such as Lee Carsley and Dave Busst.

However, because of the stadium requirements set out by the league, Motteram is concerned they will not find a new home.

Galacticos had originally been told that they would no longer be able to play at the ground in January and lined-up a return to Alvechurch.

However, they were then informed by McLaren they could stay.

But Sporting’s latest decision to cut their ties with Galacticos leaves them in limbo as the Churchmen have already found other sides to play at Lye Meadow.

The team are still going ahead with the Kenny Burns night at the Victoria Ground on Saturday, April 6.

Representatives from Sporting and Galacticos are set to meet tomorrow night to discuss the exit.

Chairman John Teece has said the decision to release Galacticos was purely down to saving wear and tear on the Victoria Ground playing surface.

The reduction of teams using the ground means there will be 36 less games on it during the 2013-14 season.

Sporting will still have the club’s own youth section, Earlswood, the first team and all the Bromsgrove and District League cup finals at the ground.

Teece said: “Our plan is to reduce the number of games played and allow the pitch to recover on a Sunday and Monday.”