John Hepworth - Chairman

Since the Tigers were locked out of Sandy Lane in April, the club is extremely disappointed that it has still not received any explanation for this course of action from 1861 Leisure Ltd.

The Football Club does not owe any money to 1861 Leisure and we have ground grading approval for the next three seasons.

The club believes that it was Bassetlaw District Council's intention for Worksop Town to play on Sandy Lane for the ninety-nine year term of the lease, so the club, its supporters and the people of Worksop deserve to be given answers to the following questions:

1. Why was the club locked out? We cannot see any justifiable or rational reason.

2. What are 1861's ultimate intentions for the ground? Are those concerned content to use it purely for Sunday League football or are there other objectives in mind?

The circumstances have made it untenable for the club and its board to work with 1861 Leisure Ltd and its directors, so even if the opportunity arose, we would not be returning to Sandy Lane whilst 1861 Leisure Ltd is in control of the lease.

With this in mind, the board is presently concentrating its efforts and financial resources on locating a suitable site upon which a new ground could be built for the Tigers. Discussions are also underway concerning the finance required for such a project.

Whilst negotiations are in their infancy, there are currently eight possible locations which are being considered and we have already been approached by an organisation interested in investing in new facilities.

The board will not be making any false promises concerning a new stadium, but we will keep everyone informed as matters progress.

In the meantime, we are asking everyone in Worksop to continue backing the club -your support over the lock-out has been fantastic.

The club needs as much sponsorship as possible over the coming season and we hope you will help us turn this "summer of discontent" into a positive, healthy future for Worksop Town.


Peter Rinkcavage - Manager

TIGERS manager Peter Rinkcavage believes that the lockout situation will see Worksop Town 'reborn' as a stronger club.

Rinkcavage has served the club as a player, assistant manager and was appointed as first team boss in the summer of 2007.
On the eve of his second season in charge he spoke to the Guardian about the problems he faces thanks to the lockout situation and how he feels the club will respond after a turbulent summer.

Worksop Town were locked out of their Sandy Lane ground two weeks before they were due to play in the Sheffield Cup final and had to find an alternative venue for first team training - far from ideal circumstances to find yourself in while preparing for a cup final.

Despite securing a groundshare at Hucknall Town for the 2008.09 season, Rinkcavage says the lockout has had an impact on the playing side of the club.
Rinkcavage said: "As a manager its not something you expect to happen and it definitely keeps us back from kicking on from the progress we made last year."

"We were hoping to build on what we achieved, but the lockout makes it difficult in a league where we need every advantage."
"We wanted to make our home ground a fortress, with a big fanbase behind us. It doesn't matter what level of football you're at, this is going to affect us just like it would if you took Anfield away from Liverpool."

Rinkcavage admitted that the lockout was an issue when speaking to potential signings during pre-season, but is positive about the impending UniBond Premier campaign and the club's future.

He said: "I'm happy with the squad we have and playing at Hucknall will make it a backs-to-the-wall scenario but we're in a far less strong position than if we were playing in Worksop."
"The club has been let down by a lot of people, even inside the club - those who were in positions in the Supporters' Club."

"We've been locked out by a former chairman and he won't say why and people in the Supporters' Club have turned their backs on the club."
"I think they'll live to regret these few months because Worksop Town is a club reborn."

"Everyone left at the club is really passionate and it's the dawn of a new era."

"I'm looking forward to getting back to Worksop and laying the foundations for another 150 years."


Paul Stansfield - Captain

TIGERS captain Paul Stansfield said this week the players' mood has not been affected by the lockout at Sandy Lane and that the team remains confident about the season ahead.

"It was a bit of a shock when we were locked out. We weren't prepared for it at all," he said.

"But we have trained at Worksop College all the way through the summer and we have had a pre-season game at Hucknall and everyone was really happy with the ground."

"The boys have just got their heads round it and worked really hard."
He said the team is trying to stay positive despite the fact they will have fewer fans turn out at matches in Hucknall.

"We're trying to look at the positives and our home record last year wasn't that great," he said.

"Obviously we would rather be at Worksop - it's the town's club but we've just got to make the best of a bad situation at the moment."

"The mood in the camp has not been damaged one little bit, we're really confident. The boys have worked really hard and just got on with it."

"We are paid to play and we will go and play and do a professional job but if we could get back to Worksop we would certainly want to."


Kevin Staniland - Junior side chairman

DAY-TO-DAY life for the aspiring young Tigers will not be affected by the first team's troubles, the chairman has said.

But the Sandy Lane lockout has put paid to plans for end-of-season activities for the junior sections of Worksop Town.

"We hoped to have some six and 11-a-side games on the pitch for the junior teams," said chairman Kevin Staniland. "But they have all been disappointed that we've had to cancel. It's a big blow for us."

"It's well known in the area that we are short of pitches as it is, and there's more and more kids coming in."

The youngsters' matches kick-off at various locations around town, including the under sevens and eights at the rugby club on Stubbing Lane and the under nines playing at Kilton Hill.
"We are making every effort, along with the first team, to find somewhere we can all be housed under one roof," said Mr Staniland.
"But other than what we had planned for the end of the season, the situation with the first team will have no effect whatsoever on us."

* Anyone wishing to become involved in Worksop Town's junior section, or the soccer schools planned for the end of September, can contact Mr Staniland on 07789717050.