It's great to see the diggers there - Stewart

Last updated : 20 June 2011 By Bigrich.....

Tony rubbished last weeks reports that there was a £2.3 million shortfall in funding for the new stadium, telling the Advertiser; “Rotherham United presented the cash flows to the council with regard to the new stadium. Both parties agreed that the £5 million loan with interest, linking with the ERDF application process, would satisfy the club’s needs."

“Any shortfall would be met by private investment and this was accepted by both parties.” he added.

Meanwhile at the groundbreaking ceremony yesterday, Tony put his confidence in GMI to meet the deadline in constructing the ground, with the ground raising to be finished in 6 weeks and then the erection of the steel framework will start.

“I have directors and managers and we’re putting that expertise into the Rotherham United business model. The stadium has taken time but has been approached with due diligence and care.”

“I arrived back from Cyprus last Friday and came to work along Centenary Way. It was great to see the line of diggers ready to get into action across the whole site. It’s a tight schedule, but GMI are already six weeks early on the council buildings next door."

“These are people who know how to work to a tight deadline, in fact it’s their timetable. They will bring a dynamic, iconic stadium to Rotherham by August next year.”

“It won’t just be the stadium, either. It’s a vast site and there’s six acres where we can look at bringing in other business investment and jobs to create other money streams for the club." Tony added.