Tigers to stay - we hope
Moreland Leader
Simon Craig
04Feb08
MORELAND'S councillor responsible for recreation admits the council and local footy fans will be ``very disappointed'' if the Coburg Tigers move to Craigieburn.
But Cr John Kavanagh remains confident Coburg, Richmond's VFL feeder team, will stay in the municipality, saying he would be ``surprised'' if the move eventuated.
Cr Kavanagh was speaking in the wake of a report in last week's Leader that Coburg could leave City Oval (recently rebranded as ABD Group Stadium) for the proposed $10 million football centre in the booming outer suburb.
A confidential agreement struck between the Richmond Tigers, Hume Council, Stockland and the AFL includes reference to a VFL team playing at the ground.
The Calder Cannons, Coburg's TAC Cup under-18s feeder team, would likely follow suit.
AFL Victoria chief executive Peter Schwab said there was a ``fair chance'' the teams would move to Craigieburn if the consortium can secure about $4.6 million in government funding.
Cr Kavanagh described the Coburg Tigers as ``an important part of our community.''
``They have big local support and it would be very disappointing to see them leave,'' he said.
``We have a lot of young local footballers involved in the club.''
Hume Mayor Mohamad Abbouche said having a VFL team based at Craigieburn would be ``great for the community''.
Coburg general manager Ryan O'Conner again declined to comment.
http://www.morelandleader.com.au/article/2008/02/04/28759_cov_sports.html