Hop Oast hopes not dead according to Hornets chairman

Hopes for their Hop Oast home are not dead, according to Horsham chairman Kevin Borrett.
JPCT 220212 Kevin Borrett left and John Lines. photo by Derek Martin ENGSUS00220120222161549JPCT 220212 Kevin Borrett left and John Lines. photo by Derek Martin ENGSUS00220120222161549
JPCT 220212 Kevin Borrett left and John Lines. photo by Derek Martin ENGSUS00220120222161549

That is the firm message from the board room as the club have given their biggest hint yet that they will appeal Horsham District Council’s decision to turn down their new home.

In Saturday’s match day programme, the Hornets chief spoke for the first time about where the club is now positioned in terms of an appeal.

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Borrett hinted after the council went against their own officers recommendation to turn down the modest home in January that they would appeal.

And, although news has been slow forthcoming, he revealed to fans in Saturday’s issue of Hornets that work is still going on behind the scenes.

He said: “On the new ground, we are continuing to work towards two objectives.

“An appeal of the refusal at Hop Oast and revised applications for Hop Oast and ultimately Holbrook.

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“I’ve been asked by a few of you why not just announce that and settle the uncertainty. The short answer is it’s not that simple as there are other parties, with whom we are contracted and we can’t unilaterally jump the gun.

“Equally, making a headline grabbing announcement by HFC without us being in a position to put substance behind it achieves little.

“Using the time between now and the elections to press each party and local candidate where they stand in crucial.

“Let me be absolutely clear. As far as the club in concerned, Hop Oast is not dead, whatever the current cabinet member for planning says to the local press after having voted against her own officers’ recommendation.”