The City Council at 10.30 last night ratified the land deal with Kassam (see below) leaving the way open for work to recommence on the building of the new stadium. There are still three potential (known) stumbling blocks before everything can proceed smoothly: Thames Water need to agree the amount paid by the club for the land – we should know this hopefully within a week; heads of agreement need to be signed by Kassam and the City Council (presumably just a formality, assuming Thames Water come on board); and Nick Pentith's and British Rail Property Board's Judicial Review. BRPB claim that their beef is that the decision was made on commercial rather than planning grounds (they were apparently unaware of PPG 17 which allows such developments if they enable the construction of an out-of-town football stadium). After the Thames Water issue is settled and the heads signed then really it is up to Kassam as to how much of a risk he wants to take before inviting Taylor Woodrow back on site.
In last year's accounts United made an operating loss of over £3.25 million, despite selling several top players. Most of this relates to the period before Kassam appeared on the scene. However, Keith Cox's car is still parked up at the Manor, slowly rusting away, which must be worth a few bob.
It would appear that Ben Abbey is starting to get on the nerves of some of the senior pros – his “bubbly character” is perhaps a tad too fizzy after what a lot of them have been through over the last year or so.
Dean Windass's proposed £1 million transfer has fallen through because the Wolves' board felt that at 30 he is too old. Nigel Jemson's loan spell at Ayr United has finished and he was unable to agree terms with the Scottish club – he is now considering his options.