BROMSGROVE Rovers are no closer to securing a seven-year lease for the Victoria Ground as they look to settle Monday's £18,000 HM Customs and Excise bill.

There had been no contact between Rovers chief executive Pat Bannister and Cllr Nick Psirides, leader of Bromsgrove District Council, over a new lease, as the Advertiser/Messenger went to press.

Bannister claims he needs written assurances from the council that the lease will be forthcoming, while Psirides insists Rovers received that confirmation when the two last met 12 months ago.

Bannister is now hoping for an urgent response from the town's MP, Julie Kirkbride, after sending her a last-ditch letter asking for help.

The Rovers chief has admitted the court could hand them a lifeline if they receive written reassurances from the district council that they will be granted the lease. He claims his consortium looking to take-over the club are unable to attract investors unless they get the lease.

The lease figured in confidential discussions between Bob Lewis, corporate director and district secretary at the council, and solicitors acting for supermarket giant ASDA over a £2.5 million deal. This includes plans to extend the store and for a guarantee from the council that the Victoria Ground will not be sold to a rival supermarket, in exchange for £1m.

Bannister said: "We've phoned Bromsgrove District Council a number of times but we can't force Nick Psirides to talk to us. I met with our investors on Monday and they are still telling me that without the lease they cannot pay the debt.

WRITTEN CONFIRMATION

"All we can do is try and get some written confirmation from the council that the lease is forthcoming. If they can do that it may satisfy Customs and Excise to stall payment of the bill."

The district council have assured Rovers they will be granted the lease, although this could take weeks rather than days with the matter due to be discussed again at a policy and resources committee meeting on February 14.

A seven-year lease is the minimum the Football Association will accept and the Dr Martens Football League has threatened to pull Rovers out of the Western Division for the 2001/2002 season if it is not in place by April 1 -- should they survive relegation.

Cllr Psirides, who admitted Bannister was on his list of people to phone, said: "We will be meeting in the next month to finalise the ASDA deal but there is no question of us backing off giving Rovers the lease.

"We have been letting them play at the Victoria Ground in good faith since the previous one expired two years ago and we haven't pursued a £12,000 business rates bill which the club owes us."

Bannister stated that if his consortium took control of the club all the debts would be paid and the club would steam ahead with plans to build links with Derby County and set up an academy for 16 to 19 year-olds.

Anyone who impressed Eric McManus, Rovers current boss and director of Derby's Youth Academy, could win a trial with the Pride Park outfit. Greens' youth teamers Michael Wright and Liam Meekin have already earned trials with the Premier League strugglers next month.

Striker Richard Burgess, meanwhile, is on trial with Port Vale this week with a view to a permanent move. He is banned from Rovers' next three games after being sent off against Worksop Town.

With Andy Biddle and Quentin Townsend soon to be suspended, McManus is chasing two or three players from higher divisions, with their quest so far taking them to Hinckley United centre back John Allcock.