Read what Ben Clasper had to say on the successful judicial review outcome in his programme notes ahead of our clash with Weymouth from Tuesday night.

Last Thursday the Honourable Mr Justice Saini handed down his judgment on the judicial review brought by Phil Addison against Southwark Council in which Mr Addison challenged the legality of the Council’s approach when taking their decision to approve the planning application for a new stadium and residential development. The judge dismissed Mr Addison’s claim on all four grounds.

I am conflicted on the JR. I disliked Mr Addison’s disingenuous behaviour in pursuing a path that is intended for people who have suffered an abuse of power when he had been a fully engaged, willing and vocal participant in a process he seemed to support when he thought the committee might agree with him and I also disliked the increased risk to the club faced with a longer period trying to keep things alive in our current facilities but there is something to like about receiving such a resoundingly categoric judgment backing the new stadium. It adds the objective conclusion of an independent judge to the consensus of the local councillors, the planning officers, the mayor and the majority of respondents to the application.

Anyone who continues to try to frustrate the progress of the development after that unanimous show of support would simply prove to our community that they had no intention of accepting any outcome of any step unless it favoured them personally, a path now commonly chosen by those who see community and democracy as tools to be discarded when it suits them not concepts to be valued and respected. The club has been sincere throughout in not wanting to pursue a project that failed to secure support and approvals at each stage and we did not think it was too much to expect everyone to commit to the same approach. I hope this draws a line under the actions of a few outweighing the needs of the many and that those we have been told provide backing to Mr Addison cease acting anonymously or as unnamed members of undefined and unaccountable groups. I hope this is the end of the misinformation and misdirection that seeks to mislead and divide our community and instead we can build, provide and regenerate for that community.

This may have been a tough stage to endure but we now have a legal victory to reinforce our moral victory.