Gillford Park Football Club has today been granted an interim injunction by a Judge sitting at Carlisle County Court to stop the Carlisle and District Railway Sports and Athletic Club from refusing to allow them to use the ground and facilities at Gillford Park.
The Order will remain in force until Friday 11th March when the injunction will be considered further by a judge. If the Railway Club disobey the Order they will be in contempt of court and liable to be sent to prison. It should mean that the games against Crook Town on Saturday and Thornaby next Tuesday will be played at Gillford Park.
The injunction comes as Gillford Park take their continuing problems with their landlords into the law courts.
Chairman Donald Cameron commented: “We have taken this action really as a last resort. We have spent months dealing with the problems through solicitors but feel that we are no further forward now than when it first blew up. Members of Gillford Park Football Club have committed a lot of time and money trying to sort this out. We have now reached the stage where the Railway Club is not even answering correspondence from our legal representative. We are left with no alternative and have obtained an interim injunction to allow us back into the ground so that we can complete the season at our own home. I am a member of the Railway Club and I find it truly sad that we have had to take this course.”
Gillford Park’s claim is extensive and includes not just a claim for an injunction but also looks to recover losses occasioned by having to play matches at alternative venues and also for work it has carried out on its own ground which the Railway Club ought to have done. It also includes a claim for exemplary damages which are of a punitive nature because – it is alleged in the court documents – the Railway Club has sought to drive it out so that it can install another club in the ground at a higher rent than Gillford Park are legally obliged to pay.
Donald Cameron said: “If they genuinely can’t afford to do the work to the ground, then goodness knows what impact this will have on the Railway Club. I wish that it had not been necessary but, had we delayed any further, the existence of the club itself and its place in the Northern League would have been in serious jeopardy. The Management Committee have been very patient but we can’t expect it go on indefinitely.”
All well beyond football!! What happens if the Railway Club goes bust- which must be one scenario here??
