Peacock hits out at groundshare plans

9:30am Thursday 31st May 2007

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LEE Peacock has slammed any plans to open the County Ground doors to Bristol Rovers, insisting groundsharing would be just asking for trouble', writes ANDY CRYER The Town striker is urging club officials to turn the Pirates away for next season, claiming the switch would wreck the pitch and potentially attract hooligans.

Town yesterday released a statement again insisting safety would take precedence over any commercial gain in the final decision, and stating they would listen to fans' concerns at an open meeting.

Due to Rovers' Memorial Stadium home going under development in December, they are in discussions with Town and Cheltenham about groundsharing for a season a half.

Pirates' chairman Ron Craig revealed on Saturday both are still prime contenders and a decision is expected soon, but Peacock has echoed concerns from the fans and warned it would be a bad move.

While the former Sheffield Wednesday man is sharing a family holiday with Rovers keeper Steve Philips this summer he is not prepared to share a home with Town's M4 rivals.

He said: "I am not sure whether Rovers will come here or not but I certainly hope a groundshare does not happen.

"It will just wreck the pitch. We want to be playing on the best surface possible and to have two teams playing on it, and reserve games on that, it will mean a lot of wear and tear.

"League One is more of a footballing league than League Two was last season and we have to be looking at getting the ball down more.

"At times we were a bit direct last season and, athough there are still occasions for that, we want to be playing more football and if the groundshare does happen I think that will be more difficult."

Bristol Rovers and Town also share a history of crowd trouble in games between each other in recent years and Peacock insists the potential for more havoc should not be underestimated.

Fans' went on the rampage in Swindon town centre in December's League Two clash while there was also reported trouble at the return fixture at the Memorial Stadium late last season.

"Crowd trouble is something you would have to worry about as well," said Peacock. "When one team is playing away at somewhere nearby there is potential for them to clash with the other team's supporters when they get back.

"Ninety nine per cent of fans are spot on. But there is the minority that will cause trouble that was shown in the games against them last season.

"I really don't think it is the best thing for the club but we don't even know if it is going to happen yet. It is all just speculation."