Showpark plans hit stalemate as parties clash over future direction of ground

Oct 8 2008 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

to draw up plans.

"We sounded out the council, who thought it was such a magnificent idea they were happy to relinquish their lease on the land and renew a lease once the ground was built.

"We then went to the Cattle Society with formal plans in September 2007 who indicated they were happy as long as the council were happy.

"But the final deal broke down because the farmers wanted a 50 per cent clawback from any future sale of the site, on top of what they were receiving for the land itself and any rent that was owed to them.

"It was completely unworkable and the property developer involved wasn't willing to agree to that."

And on top of the clawback concerns, the initial sale of the social club site has also proved to be a contentious issue, with the Cattle Society apparently increasing the price of the land on numerous occasions.

Drummond continued: "The idea behind buying the social club wasn't so much to help with the construction of a stadium, but to allow us the funds to do that.

"The plan was to make the building an asset to pay the club's debts and use it as an asset along with the grants to build at least one stand and an astroturf surface for a new park.

"The farmers agreed they would sell the land where the club is, accepted the first couple of bids of £115,000 plus fees, but wanted a clawback clause in case of a further sell-on.”

The Jags couldn’t agree a deal so things were put on hold before the society returned with an increased proposal of £145,00 including lawyers fees, but the deal again fell through as the farmers insisted on a clawback fee.

This left Drummond frustrated.

He added: "I told them it couldn't happen as this could put the club out of business.

"To this I was told by the society chairman John Henderson that ‘business was business’ and that was it."

However, Jim Boyd, the President of the society hit back at Drummond's claims saying it's the club that have moved the goalposts.

Boyd said: "We've had a few discussions with Mr Drummond and it appeared the plans seemed to change from one meeting to the next.

"As far as I'm concerned, the plans have never been finalised and there seems to be a changing of the people he has been working with as well.

"Discussions are still ongoing and while I believe there is definitely room there for the both of us, we're not a charity.

"All parties are taking a deep breath just now before the next proposal and everyone can benefit in the long term."

And Cattle Society chairman John Henderson says he only wants to deal with the council.

He said: "I don't know what the President or other members have said, but we would only discuss the matter with South Lanarkshire Council.

"We've seen plans of a sort, but I'm not sure if they are the correct ones as we've seen plans from various different people representing East Kilbride Thistle.

"Several figures have been discussed, but to date we've never received a cast iron offer, but as I've said we'll only deal with the council."

Additional reporting by Craig Anderson