Ex-QPR CEO Mark Devlin Talks about QPR's Groundsharing Experiences

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Swindon Advertiser - SWINDON TOWN: Devlin backs groundshare
By Andy Cryer

FORMER Town chief executive Mark Devlin believes opening the County Ground doors to Bristol Rovers could make sense' - as long as the club cover all angles during the decision process.

Devlin, who resigned his post at Town in February, was chief executive at Queens Park Rangers when they shared Loftus Road with London rivals Fulham between 2002 and 2004 and insists it worked well for the landlords.

With discussions ongoing between Rovers and Swindon about a potential 18-month groundshare from December, Town fans and residents are already protesting but Devlin has urged the fans not to rule it out straightaway.

He said: "The groundshare worked very well with Fulham when I was at QPR. The pitch held up well and there were no instances of crowd trouble.

"We had also had Wasps rugby club sharing with us before that and I don't think there was any trouble in either case.

"It certainly made financial sense for QPR and being honest I think Rangers probably could have earnt a bit more out of it.

advertisement"I don't think any problem is insurmountable. There is a lot Town need to make sure of before any decision, and I am sure they are doing that, but it could be a lucrative decision."

The main concern among Town fans seem to be the potential of crowd trouble, after recent history between the two groups of supporters, and Devlin conceded that has to be looked into.

He said: "There have been problems between Swindon and Rovers in the past but the club know that and will be asking the right questions to the relevant people.

"There were objections when it happened at Loftus Road from supporters and residents but their concerns proved unfounded.

"At QPR we had to put into place initiatives, like a litter collection programme, for the local community. There were also parking issues but like I said it can be worked out."

The ability of the County Ground to stand up to the extra wear and tear is another concern, but Devlin has backed up Town groundsman Marcus Cassidy's view that it can cope.

Devlin said: "I brought Sportsturf to Swindon and they have experience of working on pitches that have two teams playing on it.

"You would not want reserve games on it and I would think Rovers' reserves would be told to play elsewhere. Perhaps Swindon could move their reserves game elsewhere as well.

"But if Swindon want to share with Rovers and it makes financial sense then I am sure there is a way to make it a success." Swindon Advertiser