Barnet are asking the Football League to keep their Copthall dream alive by allowing them extra time to fight a public inquiry into the stadium plan.

Club chairman Tony Kleanthous presented the case for a move to Copthall Stadium to a League board meeting on Thursday March 12.

"I shall be demonstrating the difficulties the club faces at Underhill, our plans for Copthall and the time needed to fight a public inquiry," he said:

"I shall be seeking time to fight the inquiry, and if we lose, time to find an alternative site. The 12 months grace the League has given us will be used to plan for a merger that would take us outside the borough."

Under League rules on stadia, the club should leave Underhill for a ground that meets Taylor Report criteria in time for the kick-off of next season.

The League have already given the Bees an extra year to find a new home, but the inquiry will cause a massive delay to their plans, leaving a race against time to find a home, or risk being expelled from the League.

Barnet Council's planning committee gave their backing to the club's plans by an 11-6 majority last September, but the Department of the Environment decided to call a public inquiry because the site is in the green belt and there are also traffic concerns.

Despite strong campaigning from residents groups, Kleanthous still believes his arguments can win the day at an inquiry, but the time-scale is a major worry.

Barnet Council leader Alan Williams confirmed the Labour Party's continued support for the Copthall plan, saying: "Barnet FC's plans for Copthall are good for the club, good for sports and recreation in general, and good for all residents across the borough. Barnet deserves the support of its council, and we will continue to give them that support.

"We will be working very hard to ensure the Secretary of State understands the needs of Barnet FC, recognises the suitability of the development proposed by the club, and appreciates the benefits to all residents in the borough this scheme will bring. I am confident approval will be given.

"The proposal is to refurbish an existing stadium, bring it up to modern standards and make it a focal point for sports and recreation in Barnet. How can anybody realistically object to that?"

o Barnet will be out to get their promotion challenge back on the road by beating struggling Brighton at Underhill on Saturday.

Only the dreadful fortunes of Doncaster are keeping the Seagulls off the foot of the table, and the Bees can't afford to take anything less than three points against them.

John Still is also looking to strengthen his team before the transfer deadline in two weeks.

The match is all-ticket, with no tickets on sale on Saturday. The Underhill box office is open from 9-6.30pm on Friday.

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