Jerry Odlin says the track is operating at an estimated loss of £50,000 a year. Picture: Tony Gay

Partnership of sports clubs set to take over Finsbury Park running track

by Flora Drury Sunday, August 26, 2012
7:00 AM

It looks likely Finsbury Park’s running track will be under new management by January, if all goes according to plan.

The Finsbury Park Sports Partnership is working with Haringey Council after being picked as the “preferred partner” to take over the track’s management, a decision which should be confirmed by the cabinet in November.

The future of the track had been in doubt after Haringey refused to subsidise it after this year, leaving the many groups which use it £50,000 short of funding.

Jerry Odlin, chairman of the London Heathside Athletic Club and member of the Finsbury Park Sports Partnership, said: “We are currently in the middle of lease negotiations.

“There is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing over who is doing what, but we hope to have a licence to occupy by the end of the year with a view to taking over the whole property by January 1.

“There is still some negotiating to do but there is good will on both sides.”

The sports partnership, which includes London Heathside Athletics Club, London Blitz American Football Club and the Hornsey YMCA among others, is now also looking for a chairman.

Mr Odlin said: “We need an independent chairman because we have all got our own interests from our clubs’ point of view.”

To find out more about the unpaid position, email Mr Odlin at chairman@londonheathside.org.uk.