THE chairman of Bromsgrove Rovers’ Supporters Society has thrown his weight behind a bid to set up a new football team in the town.

Pete O’Connell was meeting with the leader of Bromsgrove District Council Roger Hollingworth this week to clarify the situation with the lease on the ground.

But providing the new team, under the Bromsgrove Sporting banner, still plays at the Victoria Ground, he said the society, which held its AGM last night, would be supporting their bid.

O’Connell said the society, formed seven years ago to raise funds for the club, found they could not trust former chairman Tom Herbert who had let them and others down and had not heard any plans from the new owner Mike Ward.

He said: “To support a new side is a big move for the society because it would mean changing our constitution and providing money for someone other than Bromsgrove Rovers.

“But providing the new side plays at the Victoria Ground, which is all important, then we can see it as the way forward because we have not heard anything positive since the takeover.

“Rob McLaren and Bromsgrove Sporting have done an excellent job to put a plan in place to make sure a football team exists long term in the town.

“It is also community based which is the way we want to see things go .

“But they need to get the lease of the ground, that is the most important thing as it is our heritage and we don’t want to be supporting a team that plays on a park.”

“I will hopefully be meeting with Councillor Hollingworth this week to clarify the situation regarding the lease and what our position is."

O’Connell also called for Mike Ward to break his silence on the future of Rovers and paid tribute to former manager Snape.

He said: “ We have not heard anything from Mike and maybe that is why he is not proving a popular figure among fans.

"He needs to come out and inform us of his plans, even if it’s just in the short-term. “ On Snape he said: “John had very little resources to work with during his time here but he has done a tremendous job.

“Granted, recently the football has left much to be desired but that’s because he hasn’t been able to bring in the players he wants to.

“I fully expect him to make a return somewhere as he is a very likeable character and I’ve got a lot of sympathy for him.

“But if it was down to cutting the costs then I can completely understand the reason.”

* New boss Steve Daniels is trying to bring in new players to boost the squad for what is now a relegation battle.

Daniels, who has been installed until the end of the season, is likely to see a number of players leave the club as its future remains uncertain.

Already out the door are Matt Gardiner, Paul Lloyd, and Danny Scheppel, who made his debut for Redditch on Saturday.

Gavin Winsper (work) and Kevin Banner (compassionate leave) were also missing from the home game with Bedworth but Cameron Jones was back.

But Daniels said the mood amongst the remaining players has been mostly happy.

He said: “If players want to leave then there’s not much we can do about it but the ones that remain are positive, including Dexter Ravenhill who, wants to stay.

“It’s not an easy situation here there’s no doubt about it but everyone needs to pull together and do their best to deal with it.”

Daniels has put in a seven day approach for former Rovers’ forward Troy Wood who has been playing at Malvern, and Sam Beasley from Midland Alliance side Causeway.

He has signed midfielder Nathaniel Can and full back Pheon Kelly on loan from the Birmingham City academy and they were expected to play last night.

Rovers are at home to Marlow on Saturday and travel to Atherstone Town next Tuesday.

*Bromsgrove Rovers FC Youth Under-15s are unbeaten league leaders in The Central Warwick Division Two.

The team have reached the semi final of the WFA Sunday Under 15 cup and will play Oldbury Park Tigers at the Ryland Centre pitch on Sunday, kick off 2pm.