Halifax Town Takeover Nears - 30/09/2007

The university town of Cambridge is in the unusual position of having two non-league teams: City and United. Other towns in this position include Bath and Eastbourne which has three non-league clubs. Only United have been in the league. Their origins are in the semi-professional game, while City were in the 'amateur' competitions when they existed. City will celebrate their centenary next year and now they have won a three-year fight to save the club's Milton Road ground from development. City were facing eviction from their home of 85 years before the High Court stepped in to extend their lease until 2010 - and allowed them to share in 50 per cent of future profits from the site's development.

Previous owners sold the ground in 2006 to Rose River, an Isle of Man company set up by former club director Brian York. In October 2004 the club agreed to sell the ground for £1.3m, plus a five-year lease with City receiving 50 per cent profit on the future development of the site. This 50 per cent was called 'overage'. Then in October 2005, in what was named The Overage Agreement, the 50 per cent was bought out for £900,000 and the lease reduced from five years to one year. Mr Justice Briggs agreed with the club that they have been a victim of fraudulent misrepresentation by a representative of Ross River and ruled that The Overage Agreement should be rescinded. The club have not only retained their 50 per cent share in the ground, but have to be relocated by Cambridge City Council before any sale or development can take place. City will have to back the £900,000 to Ross River but are confident this can be done.