He went on, “The first I knew about the change of heart was when I read the Chronicle the next day. I have tried and not managed to speak to the owners since, and now I cannot even get Ian Hill. It was him I first spoke to when I was having a valuation done after my father Frank’s death. He suggested the site was suitable for a new stadium. This is out of order. If they do business like this in the States — OK. But they are not doing it over here. The farm stays on the market and it could be for housing or industrial use. But as far as Latics are concerned, the deal is off, it’s not for sale. This has been going on for 14 months. We have been in limbo, I have a barn half finished and repairs need doing, but everything has been on hold. The farm is still on the market. But it is not viable as a farm, it is too small. On the Oldham Unitary Development Plan it is down as land suitable for further development. One field is zoned for industrial use, one field has gone to appeal for industrial use next to Broadway Business Park. We would get more money for houses, but we would have loved to leave a legacy for Oldham with new sports facilities.”
Ian Hill said: “This is news to us. As far as I am concerned this is still our preferred site. I cannot comment until I have spoken to Mr Blakeman.” Alan Hardy added, “Ferney Field Farm is still an option and redeveloping Boundary Park is a fall back position. The Safety Committee minutes have been taken down wrongly, while I was away.”