stadium probe chief resigns

AN UNDERAGE alcohol sales scandal at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium has claimed the job of the man in charge of the £32 million facility.

Stadium Chief Executive Andy Nicholl has quit his post at the venue which is home to Doncaster Rovers and Doncaster rugby league club after police discovered under 18s were being served alcohol at the venue for the third time.

Mr Nicholl, who had an extensive background in sports management, handed in his resignation after a meeting of the Stadium Management Committee, the body that oversees the day to day running of the Keepmoat, following Doncaster Rovers' home game with Walsall on Tuesday night.

His resignation was accepted at the meeting.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a statement to staff, Mr Nicholl said: "The failed test for under-18 alcohol sales is deeply disappointing and wholly unacceptable and as head of the organisation I take full responsibility.

"The stadium is a fantastic facility and the SMC are privileged to have such an excellent staff team who, I am sure, will overcome all the challenges which face the company during this early stage of its development.

"I have enjoyed working with you all and wish everyone a happy a successful future."

The resignation follows the Star's revelation yesterday that the stadium had been caught serving drink to underage customers for the third time since it opened for business in January.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A police undercover test purchase investigation at the match against Cheltenham on Saturday found under-18s were still able to buy alcohol at the Keepmoat, even though the company said it had put stringent checks in place to make sure it didn't happen again.

Doncaster's Mayor Martin Winter said he was "outraged" that the Keepmoat had failed a third test purchase operation.

Doncaster Council runs the stadium as part of a Limited Liability Partnership with the Dearne Valley Leisure Trust.

The council's interim managing director Paul Hart said: "We can confirm that Andy Nicholl has resigned as Chief Executive of the Stadium Management Company. We are currently looking into interim management arrangements and we will make a further statement over the next few days when these have been confirmed."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nigel Wroe, spokesman for Stadiumwatch, the Doncaster Rovers' fans organisation that has been highly critical of the management company's running of the Keepmoat, is calling for the facility to be run by the sports clubs who use it.

He said: "In 2003 at a cabinet meeting it was agreed that the stadium would be run by a management committee made up of representatives of the three clubs who play there - Rovers, the rugby league side and the Belles.

"Mr Nicholl's resignation gives the council an ideal chance to honour their original commitment."stadium as part of a Limited Liability Partnership with the Dearne Valley Leisure Trust.

The council's interim managing director Paul Hart said: "We can confirm that Andy Nicholl has resigned as Chief Executive of the Stadium Management Company. We are currently looking into interim management arrangements and we will make a further statement over the next few days when these have been confirmed."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nigel Wroe, spokesman for Stadiumwatch, the Doncaster Rovers' fans organisation that has been highly critical of the management company's running of the Keepmoat, is again calling for the facility to be run by the sports clubs who use the stadium.

He said: "In 2003 at a cabinet meeting it was agreed that the stadium would be run by a management committee made up of representatives of the three clubs who play there - Rovers, the rugby league side and the Belles.

"Mr Nicholl's resignation gives the council an ideal chance to honour their original commitment."