Community football chief pledges to continue good work

King's Lynn community football (KLCF) coach Jess Ibrom today pledged the scheme would continue its grassroots support for local football after failing to reach agreement with King's Lynn Town's hierarchy over future co-operation.

Ibrom confirmed KLCF will run independently of the reformed football club with a new base in north Lynn after previously operating from The Walks.

Lynn chairman Buster Chapman confirmed yesterday the two parties were unable to reach a compromise after initial plans for KLCF coaches to run the club's reserve team for 2010/11 were blocked by the FA.

A KLCF statement released on Tuesday morning read: 'On January 9 2010 it was agreed with the then newly appointed director of football for Lynn FC, that coaching staff from the community football scheme would manage and coach any reserve and/or youth teams, it was agreed that these teams would be affiliated to Lynn FC, for the coming season (2010/2011).

'This was a verbal agreement between the director of football for Lynn FC and two senior coaching staff and the secretary of the King's Lynn community football scheme. A copy of a proposal that had already been submitted to the council and which we now know became part of the councils criteria to which bidders needed to embrace and integrate into their structure. The proposal was handed to the director of football by the community scheme secretary.

'A further meeting between the director of football and the two senior coaches from the community football scheme took place on January 10. At this meeting the details were verbally finalized and the director of football for Lynn FC showed paperwork which had been reworked so that the community football was named in the bid and within the structure of Lynn FC.

'On January 14 there was an article in the Eastern Daily Press which named King's Lynn community football coaches as running the reserves and youth team for Lynn FC. This prompted calls from parents and players regarding this issue so the community football scheme sent out a letter to 150 parents/players informing them of the agreement with Lynn FC.

'Within the bid to the council King's Lynn community football (also known as football in the community) was named in print, with the scheme's UEFA B coaches also being named as reserve, youth and U16 coaches, this was set out as a key component of the new regime's set up. This is verified as the bid has now been viewed using the freedom of information act.

'During the period between the demise of the old regime and the granting of the new lease, the scheme was awarded a short term lease by the council, to care take and make use of the pitch and facilities by hosting advanced fixtures, trials and senior women's games. During this period the scheme took responsibility for the running costs and pitch maintenance. All players and public liability insurances were put in place and financed by the scheme. We wish to thank the council for their professionalism and help during this time to make this possible.

'Shortly after the lease was secured by Lynn FC, the scheme head coach was told by the senior members of Lynn FC that they had decided to not follow the structure which they had already been agreed and submitted in their now successful bid to the council. It was then stated that they did not want the scheme's coaches involved in the management and coaching of these teams, their reason being that there was an affiliation issue, but it had been previously agreed with the director of football that the new teams would be affiliated to Lynn FC.

'As a result of this King's Lynn community football has no alternative and will now run independently of Lynn FC. King's Lynn community football will now look to develop its already established strong links with all senior football clubs within the area. The scheme has always been self sustaining through its own activities, sponsorship and grants, so this development will have no effect on the day to day running of the scheme.'