HAVE YOUR SAY: Titans forced on to playing fields

The professional arm of Rotherham Rugby Club are being forced to play their away game against Ealing on September 6 at home instead because the London club’s ground will be used as a training facility during the Rugby World Cup.

But with Rotherham Town Cricket Club not due to hand over their Clifton Lane base to the rugby club until mid-September, the Titans face the prospect of opening their IPA Greene King Championship campaign on the fenced-off section of the playing fields known as Phoenix Park.

Protesters claimed when the lease with Rotherham Borough Council was signed two years ago that the Titans could “muscle in” on the site.

That prediction will be realised when Titans, who have trained so far only on the unfenced area of the playing fields, run out at Phoenix Park for the first time from temporary changing rooms brought in for the day.

The news came as a disappointment — but no surprise — to those who fought a lengthy campaign to block the club’s plans, insisting that fencing off a section of the fields was the thin end of the wedge when it came to taking the land out of public use.

UKIP councillor Kath Reeder who stood for the borough council after leading the campaign against the rugby club’s plans, said: “It’s hard not to see this as the first stage to them moving their ground onto the fields.

“They start off wanting to play one match there. Next they will want another, and then a drinks stall, then a burger bar and before you know it there will be advertising boards and seating.

“Herringthorpe should be public land open to everyone, not fenced off in a structured way. People who are against this are not nimbys, they are just people who feel passionately.”

Ms Reeder, who said the junior side training at Herringthorpe had caused parking problems, will meet Rotherham Borough Council’s strategic director for environment and development, Karl Battersby, to discuss the issue next week.

Titans have been given clearance to play at Phoenix Park — used by the club’s amateur and junior Phoenix sides — after discussions with Mr Battersby, who insisted the match would be a “one-off”. He said: “The decision has been made in the spirit of supporting our local successful professional rugby team balanced against significant concerns by residents.”