There is fury online as the ‘worst team in Britain’ saying they are forced to leave their iconic stadium and play all games away from home.
After failing to win a single league game for 882 days, Fort William FC have been dubbed the miserable “worst football team in Britain” status.
They finished bottom of Scotland’s Highland League 16 times in the past 22 years and have starred in a documentary chronicling their dogged failures.
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Fort William will now be forced to play all their upcoming league and cup matches away from home this season after Claggan Park was deemed unplayable.
The decision was reached at an emergency league management committee meeting on Sunday after a member of the public contacted the Highland League during the week to express concern about the state of the club’s pitch.
CLUB STATEMENT:
The Highland League’s League Management Committee met this evening and agreed with Fort William FC that they play all their Highland League and League Cup fixtures away from home for season 2021-22.
Early this week the League was contacted by a member of the public to express concern regarding the condition of Claggan Park, Fort William. In view of that description, it was decided that the League should undertake a ground inspection as a matter of urgency.
Claggan Park was inspected on Thursday 22nd July and the results of that inspection was reported to the League’s Office Bearers that evening. The Office Bearers formed the view that the verbal and photographic evidence indicated that Fort William FC was in breach of League Rule 7.6.1 and that a meeting with fort William FC be arranged at the earliest possible moment.
That meeting took place on Friday 23rd July when the club accepted without reservation that it was in breach of Rule 7.6.1 which places a requirement on clubs to a ensure that their pitch is in good condition and provided with an efficient and effective drainage system.
Fury as ‘worst team in Britain’ are forced to leave iconic stadium
The ensuing discussion between the Club and the Office Bearers included explanation of the circumstances that have led to the situation at Claggan Park and consideration of the options available to Fort William FC. It was explained to the Club that, given the severity of the problem, the matter would be referred to an emergency meeting of the League Management Committee.
That meeting took place on Sunday 25th July 2021 when the above agreement for season 2021-22 was reached with Fort William FC. This means that all Highland League and Cup fixtures will take place at Fort William’s scheduled opponents’ ground.
In coming to its determination, the League Management Committee considered the information provided by the ground inspection and the submission provided by the Club. It also took into account that the Club had not contacted the League to inform it of the state of Claggan Park. Furthermore, historically, there have been a high number of match postponements due to the condition of the park, a matter which has previously been the subject of correspondence between the League and the Club, most recently in March 2020.
– STATEMENT ENDS –
As mentioned, there was some fury as the ‘worst team in Britain’ say they are forced to leave iconic stadium, whilst others had something else to say on the matter…
There’s a few empty heads on the Highland League committee I see 🙄
— Andy McNulty (@AndyMc_25) July 26, 2021
@noteddieffc: That’s a joke. Huge disadvantage to the club, gets revenue taken away, and fans can’t support at the ground. Hope there’s a way to appeal or fix this.
@CarlisleFan14: That is true a ton of revenue lost to this great club
@Aqueously: Obviously the drainage work done last year hasn’t made a difference. What else has been done to maintain the pitch over the last 18 months? Surely the committee haven’t just ignored it or thought “ach, it’ll sort itself out by August”?
@Richard68871072: This is a bad decision 😳
@jamieranford83: A member of the public? Sounds a bit dodgy to me? Upset any neighbours recently?
@CarlisleFan14: thats so sad
@extremelyblue72: 20+ years ago in North Caley league FW often played home games at Caol. Was even more under water than Claggan Park!
@andybevo1: Surely the Scottish FA and other organisations should have got together a long time ago to get a 3g pitch installed.
@Albannach1876: I was at Claggan Park a week or so ago and it seemed fine to me. Utter nonsense. I’m so angry.
@Smeddum07: Sad to see since it’s the only highland league ground now I haven’t been too. Was at the called of game v strathspey last season is a beautiful ground! Would a 3G pitch not work there?
@CallumMaclean67: Joke
@michael81040329: Please look for alternatives. Claggan Park isn’t great lets be honest. Lochaber High School? Morar? (Great location, needs a fence and a couple of turnstiles). The Highland Council need to get involved. You are judged by your support for sport, more than anything else.
@richard702297: Perhaps they might like FWFC to start all their games with 9 players? Or maybe to begin each game 2-0 down? Or to require their players to play wearing wellies? Ridiculous decision.
@tobke: …and double the cost for all the away matches. Will the Club be compensated in any way?
@drew_1872: Absolute shambles of a decision
@alexmarr98: Fort William are in big trouble. Barring a 4G pitch getting laid at Claggan Park – I can’t see this changing. With the introduction of relegation from the Highland League this season – it couldn’t have come at a worse possible time.
@PatsFballBlog: “A member of the public complains.” And, because of one person’s complaint, the Highland League have ordered @FortWilliamFC to play all their games away from home. A particularly harsh punishment, which will only do harm to the club, both on and off the pitch.
@bradleyc1967: Fucking shocking decision from the highland league. Should be helping the clubs out not doing the opposite.
@MartenKats: Difficult times for Fort William. No home games will be a major blow. I hope they come out of this situation and resolve it…
@OfficialCatchup: Surely an alternative or ground share would be possible? Seems mad to deny the club any chance of gate income. Also, what sort of wet wipes are going about complaining to leagues about pitch conditions? Have they played football on a grass pitch before in Scotland?
@Sup3rs0nic1884: Fort William have been shafted
@joelthemole3: such a shame always wanted to visit claggan park
@KirstyDelaney: surely there is a way the highland league could help the fort rather than this? a club playing all games away from home is poor never mind the financial side of things
@SFitbaws: Costly season ahead for the fort, with relegation this season too they have a massive season ahead. Can they pull through ?
@Pedskelly: This is a shocking decision,been a lot wanting the Fort out the league for years so doesn’t surprise me that it comes the 1st year of relegation from the Highland League!!
@SandyMac11: This is an absolute joke!! @GaryLineker @GNev2 @ScotlandFA @SirTomhunter @UEFAcom @mrdanwalker @RangersFC @CelticFC @NicolaSturgeon @Ianblackford_MP @rioferdy5 please help raise funds to keep this amazing club at Claggan Park This club gives so many kids a chance to play football
— Stephen ☘️🦁🐝 (@The_United_Lion) July 25, 2021
Anyone surprised as to why this is the case. If you can’t provide a safe ground that referees aren’t to call off every week something like this will happen.
However, something should be done, be it at club level, local council level or national/FA level to get an Astro in pic.twitter.com/b26wowvVTT
— Seán O’Connor (@seanphilipoconn) July 26, 2021
I feel for all at the club. Playing every match away will be a huge burden, financially and socially. I am happy to assist in any way I can to support you in finding a short term and long term solution. https://t.co/CnHdylXPfd
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) July 25, 2021
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