FANS IN SHOCK AT LOSS OF NEW STADIUM CHIEF

18 June 2005

Swansea City fans have reacted with shock to the Post's revelation that the man behind the city's new £27 million home of sport has departed. Stadium boss Tim Howell sensationally left the as yet unnamed venue yesterday, just a year after being brought in to mastermind its grand opening.

It is not yet known whether he jumped or was pushed but senior councillors moved quickly to insist his departure would not affect next month's big kick-off.

However, the club's main supporters' group reacted to the news by saying it was a "huge loss" to the long-awaited base for the Swans and Ospreys.

Opposition councillor Robert Francis-Davies, who helped put the groundwork for the project in place, said it had plunged the future of Swansea's new arena into doubt.

Swansea City Supporters' Trust spokeswoman Marilyn Croft said: "I have had a few meetings with Tim and he has been to a few fans' forums.

"So when I heard he had gone it took my breath away. He always came across very well and spoke very enthusiastically about the future.

"He was always ready to answer any of the fans' questions in a very open and honest way, so I think it is a great surprise.

"He will be a huge loss to the stadium and we are very disappointed that he has gone. We had thought everything was going very well until know."

Lifelong fan Huw Cooze said: "I am shocked, I really don't know what to say at the moment."

Former cabinet member for culture and recreation, Councillor Francis-Davies said: "I'm concerned if Tim Howell has gone. Why has he gone, and what were the differences of opinion? It seems as if things are going from one problem to another."

Swansea Council's deputy leader Gerald Clement, who chairs StadCo, the company set up by the council, the Swans and the Ospreys to manage the new stadium, said: "The new stadium remains on course to give a massive boost to the profile of our city. To suggest otherwise is a gross over-reaction to recent events. This project is far bigger than any one person.

"The management team at the new stadium will continue to make the final arrangements in the run-up to the opening game on July 23."