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[Darren]

GUISELEY AFC could be in danger of relegation after being forced to stop work to bring their ground up to scratch for the Vanarama National League.
The club, who are carrying out a major upgrade, have been forced to call a halt to work after Leeds City Council posted a 'stop notice' at the ground, amid concerns about protected trees.
Now talks are being held to try to resolve the problems before a ground grading at the end of March. The club have to reach a minimum A grade to be accepted for next season regardless of where it finishes in the league.
Today Guiseley AFC said: "The club can confirm the posting of a stop work notice at Nethermoor in relation to the ground improvements required to meet the minimum standards for the Vanarama National League.
"This relates to certain aspects of the building work that has been undertaken so far and the club understands that some adjustments to the management of the site will now be required.
"We are in dialogue with Leeds City Council as well as independent experts to solve the issues and hope to reach a positive solution over the coming days and weeks.
"We will keep everyone up to date with the situation via the website and social media as and when things develop."
The club have confirmed that they could face relegation from the national league if the development works at the ground are not completed by the time of the inspection at the end of March.
It is understood the issue arose because of heavy vehicles using a strip of land behind the director's stand and club room, where a public footpath runs through the ground.
Guiseley and Rawdon councillor Graham Latty said there were worries the work could be damaging roots of the protected trees that line the piece of land.
Leeds City Council gave the green light to the upgrade last August - but plans to bring the Nethermoor ground up to Vanarama National League standards had caused controversy in the town.
The club said its plans for new spectator terracing, turnstile and toilets would allow it to take a "massive step forward".
Speaking after the planning decision last year Club secretary and chief executive officer, Adie Towers, said: "This is obviously a massive step forward for us in our plans to bring Nethermoor up to the necessary standards for this division.
"It is just reward for all the hard work put in behind the scenes and serves as a real boost ahead of our debut season at this level."
The council received 61 letters of objection to the scheme, with some people arguing local infrastructure will not support the changes, which will expand ground capacity from 3,000 to 4,000.
Others claim the stadium forms part of a public park, which has been bequeathed to the people of the area, and which is protected by a covenant. The local authority has also received 95 letters in support of the application.
The club says its upgrade is needed to meet spectator safety and comfort regulations set out by the National League.

[Mick]

Interesting

Hope they can sort it
I do think they are a decent club trying to get on with things and chopping down a few 25 year old trees, moving a family of rabid foxes and displacing a few newts into the next door ditch, should not stop them providing a decent footballing experience for the people of the area.

As an alternative to watching Leeds United it must be encouraged

[Paul Cain's Chip Pan]

I think it would be harsh on them and I wouldn't want to see them lose their league status because of it. They seem to be making genuine efforts to do the work and shouldn't be kicked out because red tape has put a stop to their efforts.

[Hale Alty]

Shame for them they aren't in Manchester where the city council are only too happy to let you build a football ground on a public park against the local residents' wishes.

[Ballers]

I think it would be harsh on them and I wouldn't want to see them lose their league status because of it. They seem to be making genuine efforts to do the work and shouldn't be kicked out because red tape has put a stop to their efforts.

I agree BUT these clubs find their teams instead of their facilities at the expense of those that do. It's opportunity cost.

Guiseley have had about 8 years to get this ground up to scratch.

That said, the drop in standards is appalling if the premier level of non league is happy with 4,000 capacity do sack it, just let them stay in.