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From the Moreland Leader
Tigers' burning plight.
By Kate Kyriacou
The Coburg Tigers are on the brink if collapse after
a recent arson attack pushed them into the financial
red.
The VFL club is losing money and needs Moreland City
Council to endorse a recovery plan that would force
the Coburg Cricket Club away from City Oval.
The removal of the cricket club would allow the Tigers
to bring AFL clubs to the ground for summer training.
But the cricket club is refusing to move from its home
ground of nearly 80 years.
Coburg Tigers president Dean Mighell said the footy club
established in 1890, might not last the year if a
resolution was not reached.
"The Coburg Football Club is at a life and death
crossroad," he said.
"The impact of the grandstand fire has cost our club
perhaps its future and at least $40,000 in revenue."
Mr Mighell, the Electrical Trades Union southern states
branch secretary, said most if the revenue would have
come from hosting the Essendon District Football League
finals series - forced to move because if a lack of
seating.
"We refuse to be a club that generates its proceeds
through poker machines, We don't believe in it," he
said.
"Coburg is the last faction if local community football,
and we'll fight to the death to ensure it has a future.
"To lose this level of footy for the northern suburbs
would be a tragedy."
The club has since received the support of the State
Government, Football Victoria and both Richmond and
Essendon football clubs but only if they can provide
a cricket free oval.
"We've really given it some thought and put together a
proposal that not only makes Coburg an even greater
assest to the community but offers the really exciting
prospect if having AFL clubs train and play practice
matches at City Oval," Mr Mighell said.
"It's a pain for the cricket club but I wish we had
their problem. For us it's about survival, not
relocation."
The recovery plan is for about a $1.5 million upgrade
of the ground, including a new grandstand with
undercover seating and a function centre.
But cricket club secretary Bill Tucknott said his club
and it's host of dedicated teams would not budge.
"We have no intention of relocating whatsoever," he said.
"We use the ground quite a lot, most days over summer.
It would be very detrimental to the club if we were
forced to move."
Moreland's sports and recreation councillor, Steve Roach,
said the council was within its rights to force the
cricket club from the ground.
"The Coburg football ground is a public asset and
decisions made ahout its future will be done with the
best interests of the whole community in mind," he said.
"But that doesn't mean to say we will disregard what
the cricket club has to say.
"They have to be taken care of, irrespective of what
decision is made."
The council could decide the future of the cricket club
a a meeting soon.
