ALL RUGBY FANS WE NEED YOUR HELP!  

Back in March last year, I asked for your help to stop Crest Holmes who were about to remove us from our ground.  Your response made them come back to the negotiating table and the Harrogate Rugby committee agreed what seemed a sensible solution.   Now the 'Bully Boys' of Crest are back to their strong arm tactics and have issued an eviction notice on the club.  I NEED YOUR HELP ONCE AGAIN, YOUR EMAILS REALLY WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND ENSURE 500 KIDS HAVE SOMEWHERE TO PLAY RUGBY AND SAVE HARROGATE RUGBY FROM EXTINCTION.  Our Club Members have worked like crazy fund raising and combined with a number of generous benefactors we managed to raise £975,000 pound.  Bearing in mind Crest bought the land for only £610K - this seems more than a reasonable offer.

The land has been independently valued at only £500,000!

After the last issues about a year ago an arrangement was agreed between the Club and Crest, where we'd have a five year lease agreement and at anytime during that period - Crest could call down the £975,000 to purchase the ground.  We would pay an agreed rent (£240,00 over the period), ensuring they received an income for their investment and if Crest hadn't drawn down the the purchase funds, the Club could after 5 years could purchase the ground at £975,000.

Seemed a good deal for Crest who would get £240K rent and also a sale figure of £975K at anytime they decided - not bad?  £1,215 in total, on something they only bought for £610K and in fact is only worth £500K.

Guess what?  They reneged on the deal.  They said they wanted more for the land and asked us to submit another offer - with some generous help we managed to get £1,043,000.

They rejected our offer and sent us a Solicitors letter telling us we had two months to get off site.

They will never get planning permission for housing on the land as the local council has designated the area as recreational and believe their 'Bully Boy' tactics are simply aimed at forcing a higher price.

It seems they don't give two hoots about our brilliant community rugby club which is home to over 500 kids on a Sunday morning or the six senior sides who play every weekend.

Steven Stone, Crest's Chief Executive is quoted on the Company website - "Our mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities, both now and in the future"

So what does Steven intend doing with the ground? Nothing, but board it up, increase the vermin population or invite travellers to vandalise the site. Perhaps this is what they mean by 'communities' and 'quality of life'?

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
It would seem this big corporate company is trying to bully a community rugby club into accepting a deal on their terms or deny the opportunity of over 500 kids and adults the opportunity to play rugby.

Can you help us? If anyone knows Andrew Coppel the Chairman of London Irish Rugby and also Non-Executive Director of Crest, speak to him, drop him an email or, even email the Crest Nicholson CEO Stephen Stone - sstone@crestnicholson.com with your support for Harrogate Rugby.
Please forward this message to as many people who care about rugby.

Can we as a rugby playing country allow this to happen?

PLEASE HELP US!

Kevin Ellis
Harrogate Rugby U15 Coach

The above is an email received from Kevin Ellis of Harrogate Rugby.

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