WDC leader hits back at Hayes

1:30pm Tuesday 18th September 2012 in News By Simon Farr

WDC leader hits back at Hayes WDC leader hits back at Hayes

THE leader of Wycombe District Council has scoffed at suggestions from former Wanderers and Wasps owner Steve Hayes that the authority ‘simply talks a good game’.

Councillor Alex Collingwood said axing plans for a new stadium and sports village at Booker was the right decision and stated again that his door was open to the clubs if they wanted to talk.

He said: “I'd like to congratulate both clubs on the new chapters opening in their history. Both Wanderers and Wasps have a good local following and of course we wish them the very best for the season.

“The plans we worked on with the clubs to develop a new stadium and sports village were not the right thing at the right time, and our decision to change direction was supported by many local people.

“Our door was, and still is open to the clubs for continuing discussions.”

He told the Free Press last week that building a new sports centre - mooted for 2015 -  was imperative to the district and to ensure the legacy of the Olympics was continued in south Buckinghamshire.

Mr Hayes broke his silence yesterday after the sale of Wasps to a consortium led by Ken Moss was finally completed , having also sold off the Blues to the Wycombe Wanderers Supporters Trust in June.

Mr Hayes said he was still “disappointed” by WDC’s decision to pull the plug on his stadium dream and believes the council needs to back its words with actions if Wasps are to stay in Wycombe for the long term.

He said: "I was quite dismayed by Cllr Collingwood’s seemingly complacent assertion in comments relating to the sports village that Wasps won’t move from Wycombe because the numbers don’t add up for them to go as it would be too costly.

"I still believe that as things stand, the numbers don’t add up for them to stay at Adams Park.

"I believe the reality will be that Wasps will move away from the district within a couple of years unless WDC and Buckinghamshire County Council start being more pro-active in helping them with a new separate location within the area so they cease to be dependent on a ground share.

"As a trust member and supporter of Wycombe Wanderers and ardent fan of Wasps I believe that both clubs need support from a pro-active local authority - not one that simply talks a good game and just makes the right noises.

"As both clubs start new chapters with new owners, I hope everyone gets behind them and that includes the council who claim that their long term vision is to ensure the “Wycombe district is economically strong and the place to live work and visit”.

"Now they really do need to turn that into action and a tangible commitment - or stand to lose an important and prestigious community asset that helps promote the district."

Comments (13)

1:59pm Tue 18 Sep 12

williamjames says...

Now the ball is with Cllr Collingwood to actually do something rather than spout hot air.
I suspect that this may be a litle difficult for him as he appears not to have done anything positive for High Wycombe since he became Leader.
His rejection of joining with South Bucks and Chiltern to share a Chief Executive has cost the Council Tax payers dear!
Now the ball is with Cllr Collingwood to actually do something rather than spout hot air. I suspect that this may be a litle difficult for him as he appears not to have done anything positive for High Wycombe since he became Leader. His rejection of joining with South Bucks and Chiltern to share a Chief Executive has cost the Council Tax payers dear! williamjames

2:57pm Tue 18 Sep 12

Fit2drop says...

Steve Hayes took both Wanderers & Wasps to the brink of bankruptcy. I think anyone heeding his advice needs their bumps felt. If Wasps are to prosper they need to move to their supporters heartland, then their gates will improve.
Steve Hayes took both Wanderers & Wasps to the brink of bankruptcy. I think anyone heeding his advice needs their bumps felt. If Wasps are to prosper they need to move to their supporters heartland, then their gates will improve. Fit2drop

6:07pm Tue 18 Sep 12

gungun says...

williamjames wrote:
Now the ball is with Cllr Collingwood to actually do something rather than spout hot air.
I suspect that this may be a litle difficult for him as he appears not to have done anything positive for High Wycombe since he became Leader.
His rejection of joining with South Bucks and Chiltern to share a Chief Executive has cost the Council Tax payers dear!
His approach to the stadium saved the tax payer millions
[quote][p][bold]williamjames[/bold] wrote: Now the ball is with Cllr Collingwood to actually do something rather than spout hot air. I suspect that this may be a litle difficult for him as he appears not to have done anything positive for High Wycombe since he became Leader. His rejection of joining with South Bucks and Chiltern to share a Chief Executive has cost the Council Tax payers dear![/p][/quote]His approach to the stadium saved the tax payer millions gungun

6:14pm Tue 18 Sep 12

gpn01 says...

williamjames wrote:
Now the ball is with Cllr Collingwood to actually do something rather than spout hot air. I suspect that this may be a litle difficult for him as he appears not to have done anything positive for High Wycombe since he became Leader. His rejection of joining with South Bucks and Chiltern to share a Chief Executive has cost the Council Tax payers dear!
Given that a financially unfeasible project was rightly killed off, preventing the potential squandering of millions of ratepayers money, I'd say that he did rather well actually. As mentioned in the article WDC remains open to dialogue with the Clubs, so why do you think that the ball is with Cllr Collingwood?
[quote][p][bold]williamjames[/bold] wrote: Now the ball is with Cllr Collingwood to actually do something rather than spout hot air. I suspect that this may be a litle difficult for him as he appears not to have done anything positive for High Wycombe since he became Leader. His rejection of joining with South Bucks and Chiltern to share a Chief Executive has cost the Council Tax payers dear![/p][/quote]Given that a financially unfeasible project was rightly killed off, preventing the potential squandering of millions of ratepayers money, I'd say that he did rather well actually. As mentioned in the article WDC remains open to dialogue with the Clubs, so why do you think that the ball is with Cllr Collingwood? gpn01

7:42pm Tue 18 Sep 12

yog says...

Whilst the site was wrong at Booker WDC needs to be proactive to ensure both clubs stay in our area.

The complacent and arrogant attitude being shown by the current leadership will result in a major attraction in our area going elsewhere.
Whilst the site was wrong at Booker WDC needs to be proactive to ensure both clubs stay in our area. The complacent and arrogant attitude being shown by the current leadership will result in a major attraction in our area going elsewhere. yog

8:27pm Tue 18 Sep 12

geoffW says...

Ofcourse Hayes will have a go at Collingwood. He much preferred Clarke, who thought that the sun shone out of his ear-hole, was easier to butter up and barked like a little lapdog when he clicked his fingers.
Ofcourse Hayes will have a go at Collingwood. He much preferred Clarke, who thought that the sun shone out of his ear-hole, was easier to butter up and barked like a little lapdog when he clicked his fingers. geoffW

8:27pm Tue 18 Sep 12

geoffW says...

Ofcourse Hayes will have a go at Collingwood. He much preferred Clarke, who thought that the sun shone out of his ear-hole, was easier to butter up and barked like a little lapdog when he clicked his fingers.
Ofcourse Hayes will have a go at Collingwood. He much preferred Clarke, who thought that the sun shone out of his ear-hole, was easier to butter up and barked like a little lapdog when he clicked his fingers. geoffW

8:38pm Tue 18 Sep 12

J B Blackett says...

I wouldn't want a dog like that - even if I was head of an international terror and crime syndicate. Cats are far better in the non-yapping stakes although sneakier
.
But I know what you mean about the C person. 'The Incorruptibles' comes to mind. Or was it 'The Untouchables' ? Or more likely it was probably 'The Unbearables'.
I wouldn't want a dog like that - even if I was head of an international terror and crime syndicate. Cats are far better in the non-yapping stakes although sneakier . But I know what you mean about the C person. 'The Incorruptibles' comes to mind. Or was it 'The Untouchables' ? Or more likely it was probably 'The Unbearables'. J B Blackett

9:16pm Tue 18 Sep 12

gpn01 says...

yog wrote:
Whilst the site was wrong at Booker WDC needs to be proactive to ensure both clubs stay in our area.

The complacent and arrogant attitude being shown by the current leadership will result in a major attraction in our area going elsewhere.
If "complacent and arrogant" means not squandering £67M of ratepayers money to build a white elephant for two privately owned, loss making, businesses who'd be getting exclusive use (or even ownership?) of the facility then Cllr Collingwood gets my vote.

Why would a major attraction go elsewhere? Are you suggesting that London Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers will be dismantling Adams Park and moving it somewhere else?
[quote][p][bold]yog[/bold] wrote: Whilst the site was wrong at Booker WDC needs to be proactive to ensure both clubs stay in our area. The complacent and arrogant attitude being shown by the current leadership will result in a major attraction in our area going elsewhere.[/p][/quote]If "complacent and arrogant" means not squandering £67M of ratepayers money to build a white elephant for two privately owned, loss making, businesses who'd be getting exclusive use (or even ownership?) of the facility then Cllr Collingwood gets my vote. Why would a major attraction go elsewhere? Are you suggesting that London Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers will be dismantling Adams Park and moving it somewhere else? gpn01

9:47pm Tue 18 Sep 12

J B Blackett says...

gpn01 wrote:
yog wrote:
Whilst the site was wrong at Booker WDC needs to be proactive to ensure both clubs stay in our area.

The complacent and arrogant attitude being shown by the current leadership will result in a major attraction in our area going elsewhere.
If "complacent and arrogant" means not squandering £67M of ratepayers money to build a white elephant for two privately owned, loss making, businesses who'd be getting exclusive use (or even ownership?) of the facility then Cllr Collingwood gets my vote.

Why would a major attraction go elsewhere? Are you suggesting that London Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers will be dismantling Adams Park and moving it somewhere else?
Why not ? That's what the travellers at Walters Ash , Helmsley Hill , Flackwell Heath etc do (or are supposed to do) round here.
.
A travelling football club that puts down a temporary base sounds like a viable concept to me.
.
Think of the advantages - no rates / or council taxes or police bills to pay , no litter to clear away after games , only transient ignorable complaints about noise or traffic or inconsiderate parking from the neighbours , an ever changing fan base , a new choice of scenic convenient venue every week etc etc The list goes on.
.
What a brilliant idea. It could catch on - just like all the highly paid but transient / traded players (hired guns) who appear to to play for these football clubs nowadays.
[quote][p][bold]gpn01[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]yog[/bold] wrote: Whilst the site was wrong at Booker WDC needs to be proactive to ensure both clubs stay in our area. The complacent and arrogant attitude being shown by the current leadership will result in a major attraction in our area going elsewhere.[/p][/quote]If "complacent and arrogant" means not squandering £67M of ratepayers money to build a white elephant for two privately owned, loss making, businesses who'd be getting exclusive use (or even ownership?) of the facility then Cllr Collingwood gets my vote. Why would a major attraction go elsewhere? Are you suggesting that London Wasps and Wycombe Wanderers will be dismantling Adams Park and moving it somewhere else?[/p][/quote]Why not ? That's what the travellers at Walters Ash , Helmsley Hill , Flackwell Heath etc do (or are supposed to do) round here. . A travelling football club that puts down a temporary base sounds like a viable concept to me. . Think of the advantages - no rates / or council taxes or police bills to pay , no litter to clear away after games , only transient ignorable complaints about noise or traffic or inconsiderate parking from the neighbours , an ever changing fan base , a new choice of scenic convenient venue every week etc etc The list goes on. . What a brilliant idea. It could catch on - just like all the highly paid but transient / traded players (hired guns) who appear to to play for these football clubs nowadays. J B Blackett

7:34am Wed 19 Sep 12

washondo says...

This is spurious, superfluous reporting.
~
No-one cares what Steve Hayes thinks, Simon. Please don't waste Cllr Collingwood's time.
~
Get a job.
This is spurious, superfluous reporting. ~ No-one cares what Steve Hayes thinks, Simon. Please don't waste Cllr Collingwood's time. ~ Get a job. washondo

9:37am Wed 19 Sep 12

miccles says...

geoffW wrote:
Ofcourse Hayes will have a go at Collingwood. He much preferred Clarke, who thought that the sun shone out of his ear-hole, was easier to butter up and barked like a little lapdog when he clicked his fingers.
"He much preferred Clarke, who thought that the sun shone out of his ear-hole,"

Well probably the sun did shine out of his ear-hole, because if you looked through one ear-hole, you could see right through to the other side, as there was obviously nothing in between to stop it, hence the expression of being brainless.
[quote][p][bold]geoffW[/bold] wrote: Ofcourse Hayes will have a go at Collingwood. He much preferred Clarke, who thought that the sun shone out of his ear-hole, was easier to butter up and barked like a little lapdog when he clicked his fingers.[/p][/quote]"He much preferred Clarke, who thought that the sun shone out of his ear-hole," Well probably the sun did shine out of his ear-hole, because if you looked through one ear-hole, you could see right through to the other side, as there was obviously nothing in between to stop it, hence the expression of being brainless. miccles

4:51pm Thu 20 Sep 12

TheHorsesMouth says...

washondo wrote:
This is spurious, superfluous reporting.
~
No-one cares what Steve Hayes thinks, Simon. Please don't waste Cllr Collingwood's time.
~
Get a job.
Agreed,...I'll waste no more time on this article.
[quote][p][bold]washondo[/bold] wrote: This is spurious, superfluous reporting. ~ No-one cares what Steve Hayes thinks, Simon. Please don't waste Cllr Collingwood's time. ~ Get a job.[/p][/quote]Agreed,...I'll waste no more time on this article. TheHorsesMouth

Comments are closed on this article.

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