Nodley Wright, Freelance WriterTHE NOMADIC existence of Wray and Nephew National Premier League contestants Boys' Town is set to continue this weekend.
Tomorrow they will head to the National Stadium for their fixture against long-time rivals Harbour View.
Since the kick-off in September, the former national champions have been unable to host matches at their Collie Smith Drive home due to the absence of seating for 2,500 spectators as stipulated by the league.
"The decision came out of a meeting last night," Boys' Town coach Andrew Price told The Gleaner on Wednesday.
"As you know we have been moving from place to place because our seating arrangements have not been sorted out," added Price, who has been associated with the club for close to two decades.
STANDS IN PLACE
"The stands are actually in place, but the poor weather conditions has made it impossible to install the seats which have to be welded," he added.
For their home games Boys' Town, which won promotion to the country's top football competition this season after a 10-year absence, have used both Constant Spring, and Tony Spaulding Sports Complex which is just a stone's throw away. Neither venue has satisfied the club's followers.
"Playing at Tony Spaulding Sports Complex has worked in terms of the cost against what we would have paid for other places, seeing that we are in the same general area, but the fact of the matter is that a lot of people do not feel comfortable because of the violence that is taking place in Arnett Gardens right now," Price explained.
WILL SEEK SPONSORS
"We have been looking at other venues outside and what we have decided to do is to make the sacrifice early," continued Price, who explained that they will be seeking match-day sponsors to offset some of the cost of hosting the game.
While the National Stadium will cost much more than any other venue, Price is hoping that the history of both clubs and the form of both teams will pull out the dormant fans, as well as new ones to the game.
"The Red Brigade versus the Stars of the East has always been a big rivalry, but a friendly one,"said Price, recounting a famous game between the two teams in 1984 when Harbour View led 2-0 with about 10 minutes to go and fans were streaming out. Herbert "Dago"Gordon brought back Boys' Town in the game and they went on to win on penalties.
Harbour View lead the first round of the competition with 18 points, eight above seventh-placed Boys' Town.
