Following the shock of the club being forced to vacate their WGC 'home' ground during the season, comes the the news that stalwart Reserve Team manager, Craig Caswell, has now resigned his post. Concerns are now mounting about the future of the club. Due to a lack of suitable facilities, the club left Birchwood in 2007 to enable them to take up a promotion to the South Midlands League. Since that time they have variously played at Harpenden, WGC FC's ground, WGC's Gosling Athletics Stadium and London Colney, and are now looking to play out their remaining 'home' matches at variously: Hitchin, Letchworth and Hertford. When they first decamped from Hatfield 5 years ago, it was the first time since 1886 that there was not one senior football club playing in the town, yet soccer is our national sport. However, they are now on the cusp of being granted some land to develop a stadium at Angerland Common, where the club used to have a ground from 1980. They also had a 35 year lease back then, and could still be playing there now if fortune had been kinder. But the club folded in 1984 - for five years - and they have not had a ground of their own since. The current position is that the University, as Angerland Common landlords, are discussing the reinstatement of the playing fields with the Borough Council - who have legal joint user rights. The upshot should see the provision of a peppercorn rent on a plot for the club to build a permanent home ground. Also wishing to move to Angerland are Hatfield's senior clubs in Rugby and Cricket plus their reserve teams. But negotiations between the Uni and Borough Council have been dragging on for a year now. Put simply, the University are only obliged to restore the playing fields and to replace the brick built changing room block that they demolished when they closed Angerland in 2004 to build their vast Park & Ride. This event caused Hatfield Youth FC - with their 200 players to move to WGC, never to return, and other clubs to fold. In the meanwhile, it appears that no attempt has been made to maintain or reinstate the pitches during the intervening eight years. There are now concerns that the lengthy negotiations between the Uni and Council are indicative that the University are trying to minimalise their obligations by not reinstating all of the remaining playing fields as is the requirement. It must not be forgotten either that 30 years ago, there were five senior clubs in the town; all had their own grounds, clubhouses and reserve sides - two even had grandstands. Now there is nothing. And there is no facility for local spectators to enjoy a game; nowehere for people to mix with the unique cameraderie that following a team encourages. Having a senior flagship football club is also a great advert for a town as it provides identity and wider recognition. Last week Hatfield Town lost 5-1 to Royston - the League's top team. Playing for Royston were SIX former Hatfield Town players - all local lads. Furthermore, two years ago when Hatfield were ground-sharing at WGC FC's stadium - with both clubs' in the same division - Hatfield enjoyed more than double the attendences of their WGC hosts. This clearly shows something of the passion and potential that Hatfield has. There are now fresh calls for the Borough Council to show some meaningful financial support for Hatfield football, which has now all but left town.