COLCHESTER United's owner and chairman, Robbie Cowling, has taken the decision to issue an official statement regarding recent off-the-pitch concerns, specifically focusing on the new stadium.

By Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United's owner and chairman, Robbie Cowling, has taken the decision to issue an official statement regarding recent off-the-pitch concerns, specifically focusing on the new stadium.

Many U's supporters have been disappointed with the lack of provision for a bar facility at the new Community Stadium, which is currently under construction in time for the start of next season.

And Jon Burns, the chairman of the Colchester United Supporters Association, recently stood down from the Colchester Community Stadium Stakeholders Group.

The U's will be moving from Layer Road to their new 10,000 all-seater stadium on the Cuckoo Farm site for the start of the 2008-09 campaign. The project is costing £14m.

Below are the main extracts from Mr Cowling's statement, which have appeared on the club's website:

“Spectators who attended our recent home fixture against Burnley may have received a press release by the Colchester United Supporters Club, which contained a statement concerning their chairman's decision to withdraw from the Colchester Community Stadium Stakeholders Group.

“The leaflet was handed out within the ground and although it was headed Colchester United, it may have led you to believe the club were in support of this action.

“However, the club was unaware that the CUSA intended to issue this press release. I am personally offended that they did not seek the club's permission to use our premises for such purposes. I am also saddened that they should use such an exercise to publically criticise Tony Barton, who is chairman of the Stakeholders Group.

“Tony Barton has an extremely difficult job working with the numerous stakeholders, who each have their individual needs and desires for the new stadium, but were each selected to ensure the best possible delivery of the new stadium for all concerned, despite the obvious restrictions of limited funding and resources, combined with a tough deadline.

“The CUSA are rightly proud of their organisation and in my opinion they have created a wonderful club within a wonderful club. However, it has been my belief that the CUSA chairman was invited onto the Stakeholders Group to give representation for all of the fans of Colchester United and not just the CUSA members.

“I understand the CUSA's disappointment that the new stadium will not initially offer a facility that is similar to the Corner Bar and I am sorry that for a number of fans this will mean the current match-day experience that they cherish dearly, and have worked for many years to achieve, cannot be replicated in the new stadium.

“However, I make no apologies for focusing initially with the majority of Colchester United supporters for whom the new stadium will provide a much better match-day experience in a much safer environment.”

CUSA chairman Burns said last night: “The committee has agreed that the CUSA will be issuing no further comment until after our committee meeting this week.”