Pitch reprieve for Boulevard
By Stephen Wright
Boulevard can carry on playing home matches at St. John's Field if they agree to new ground-share terms after crunch talks with landlords Western Stars Sports Club.
Michael Weeks, Western Stars vice-president, would not reveal the changes made to the contract but is confident Blazers will accept the alterations and continue to use St. John's Field as their home venue this season.
Blazers were on the brink of being booted out by Western Stars officials who have become increasingly worried about security following an alleged assault after last month's home match between Boulevard and Somerset Eagles, which saw an Eagles player set upon by a gang of thugs.
Unhappy with Boulevard's handling of the issue, Western Stars banned them from playing last weekend's match against Somerset Trojans at St. John's Field as punishment for ignoring requests to meet on the matter.
That game was switched at the eleventh hour to BAA Field where Blazers have arranged to play Devonshire Cougars on Sunday, fearing they would be banished from St John's Field for good.
But Weeks yesterday said Boulevard had been given the go-ahead to use St. John's Field following Wednesday night's "amicable and positive" meeting, as long as they agreed to the amended contract.
"From our side things are resolved but he (Proctor) has to take it to his membership tonight, so there will nothing concrete until after their meeting," said Weeks, MP for Pembroke East Central.
"We put some things on the table in terms of what we want amended to the contract. It all stemmed from the Eagles and Boulevard game and how it was handled in terms of the security.
"Since they (Boulevard) did not know where they stood last week they asked BAA to use their venue (this weekend), so that was already agreed. But going forward it looks as though we're going to be straight."
Earlier this year Blazers were forced to look for another home ground after BAA Field underwent artificial resurfacing.
A deal to use St. David's Warriors' ground, Lords, fell through and an attempt to secure Wellington Oval also bit the dust when St.George's chiefs changed their minds after yobs clashed at Cup Match.
Eventually Blazers were rescued by Western Stars although the ground-share decision was not universally popular with many club officials who feared certain elements of both teams would use games to cause trouble.
Boulevard's name was dragged through the mud last month when a taxi carrying Blazers players away from Southampton Oval was attacked by a weapon-wielding mob after a Professional Development League (PDL) match.
Boulevard president Stephen Proctor could not be reached for comment yesterday.
