CLUBS using the redeveloped Cwmbran Stadium have backed Torfaen council's decision to keep the facility closed while work is carried out.

The Argus revealed yesterday that Cwmbran Town benefactor John Colley was considering his future at the club because the council said it had to be off the pitch by Sunday for a new running track to be laid.

Mr Colley told the Argus the club had been "thrown out" of the ground in February 2001 for work to start - yet nothing happened for months. They returned to the ground in January this year, but now have to leave again.

Town are annoyed by the disruption - believing the lack of a home ground cost them a Champion's League place.

They originally thought that the work would have been completed by spring this year, but a series of delays Mr Colley refers to as "farcical" have pushed back that date. But his frustrations are not shared by other stadium users.

Phil Benning, a coach for the Athletics Association of Wales, said: "It's not caused a huge problem for us. Coaches tend to be quite flexible."

This is a sentiment echoed by the Welsh Badminton Union. Both organisations say that their members are happily training in other venues until the £5.1million refit is complete.

A spokesman for Torfaen council said: "A definite date was never issued. We are running behind, but it is by a few weeks, not months."

But in the summer of 2000 leisure services manager Roger Glithero had given a timescale, saying: "From April 2001 the whole stadium will be closed, including those facilities (the grandstand and all-weather pitch) for approximately eight months, to allow for major development work."

The council said it was working with all the stadium's users to ensure as little disruption as possible, and the delays were because of extra improvement works not in the original plans.

The extra work includes: A new pool ventilation. Upgrade and redecoration of changing-rooms and pool hall. Installing a platform lift and new furniture and fittings.

"We have worked very hard with the many clubs who use the stadium to find them alternative venues," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said: "We have agreed to pay Cardiff council to allow Cwmbran Town to play their April 30 match at Leckwith, and a location for the matches on 23 and 25 is soon to be confirmed.

"Once the track is finished the team will be welcomed back."