HORSHAM manager Dominic di Paola and his club's fans have had had worse weekends. Much worse.
Not only did they end Tooting & Mitcham's 14-match winning run in the Ryman South last Saturday, the Hornets also found out they were going home.
Horsham have been homeless since leaving Queen Street in 2008 but have refused to give up on owning their own ground in the Sussex town.
After receiving numerous knockbacks, there is now bright light at the end of a dark tunnel. Horsham District Council backed plans to make a site in Worthing Road their new home and manager di Paola says the supporters and people behind the scenes deserve it.
“It's wonderful news for everyone,” he said. “It was some weekend let me tell you! To beat Tooting and play as well as we did against the best side in the league on the back of the great news the previous few days? Well it completed a dream week.
“They are great the people at Horsham – they love their club and it's hurt them being without our own home. They have had relentless knockbacks over the past ten years but they've never given up fighting for their club.
“It gives everyone a lift and something to aim for now. I'd love to be the manager to lead the team out in the new ground but this is football remember! Fingers crossed, it would be an honour.”
Di Paola revealed that the Ryman South club's 1,300 stadium could even be ready in little over a year.
“Well it sounds ambitious, but that's what the developers are saying,” he added. “But as everyone knows building works rarely finish on time but wouldn't it be great to be in for season 2018-19? It's an end point for Horsham to build towards.”
But before they get the keys, there are tricky times ahead.
Journey
“This is our last year sharing with Horsham YMCA unfortunately,” the manager added. “Next season we will be playing 25 miles away at Lancing. Hopefully the fans will still back us despite the journey.
“We can't wait until the building starts. We can finally be a big club in Sussex once again.”
A club statement praised the local authority as they gave the green light to their plans.
It read: “This is a landmark victory after receiving council backing to build itself a new home ground, and thus securing the future of not only the football club itself but also the Holbrook club.
“We would like to thank council officers for their diligence in dealing with the applications, and councillor members for their foresight in expanding community sports leisure facilities at no cost to council tax payers.”
