I was somewhat taken aback at some of the mean-spirited comments that Roy Green made (Postbag, July 7) regarding the plight of Malvern Athletic Football Club compared to the alleged favourable treatment enjoyed by Malvern Rugby Club.

Malvern Rugby Club has been in existence in it's present form since 1936, as opposed to Malvern Athletic's 1992. During that time, it has provided an outlet not only for it's senior first team but for countless numbers of local schoolboy and youth players to progress in their chosen sport, to achieve the highest levels that their individual abilities allow.

One is tempted to ask how many youth teams Malvern Athletic run. Perhaps Mr Green could enlighten us?

Mr Green alleges that football clubs are the poor relations in Malvern. If that is the case, how come that there are so many publicly-provided football pitches compared to the relatively few pitches provided for rugby? He has also neglected to mention the new pavilion that was provided at public expense at Lower Howsell Road, the home of Newtown Sports Football Club.

In conclusion, Malvern Rugby Club received the aid that was forthcoming after decades of doing its upmost to provide a sporting outlet for the youth of Malvern. It is most unfortunate what has happened to the grandstand on Victoria Park and the problems that it has caused.

However, on a constructive note might I suggest that a solution to Malvern Athletic's problems might lie in exploring the feasibility of ground sharing with Malvern Town at Langlands Stadium to the mutual benefit of both clubs.

After all, if AC and Inter Milan can do it, so can they.

CLIVE SMITH, Greenfields Road,

Malvern Link.