FOOTBALL Mid North Coast chairman Mike Parsons is adamant the Premier League grand final will be played in Port Macquarie on September 17.

It comes after it emerged Regional Stadium had been booked for successive days following the Group 3 decision to shift their grand final date following a washed out weekend earlier in the year.

“We’ve held the grand final at Regional Stadium for a number of years,” Parsons said.

“It’s the one day of the year where we have the opportunity to play at a good facility so as long as we get the venue when we need it, we’re happy.”

When asked if there was any chance their grand final times could be brought forward to accommodate more time to transform the venue for the Group 3 grand final the following day, Parsons said it couldn’t happen.

“We’ve got major plans in place for a gala event,” he said.

“We’ve booked the ground and represent 6500 registered players and coaches from Kempsey to Bulahdelah.”

“We’re not Johnny-come-latelies.”

Parsons, however, said they were happy to co-habitate with Group 3, but at this stage no-one had formally approached them.

Council has advised the group it will cost $3600 to prepare the stadium for the rugby league grand final the following day.

“If the roles were reversed we’d be paying to get the ground ready for our premier event,” Parsons said.

“I don’t think it’s an unreasonable request because it requires people working Saturday night.”

Group 3 secretary Barrie Smith said the charge is ‘out of our league’, and indicated the group may have to find an alternative venue, even if the match involves the two Port Macquarie clubs.

Port City and Port Macquarie will play in Sunday’s major semi-final.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council group manager Liam Bulley said draws for both the Group 3 and Football Mid North Coast competitions were established for the season early in the year.

Council accommodated both codes’ grand finals on September 10-11 and September 17 respectively. 

“In late June, Group 3 rugby league changed the dates for their finals series without consulting council on their new proposed grand final date of September 18,” Mr Bulley said.

“When council was contacted regarding a date change the applicant was advised that council would incur significant cost for grand finals in different sporting codes to occur on subsequent days, and whilst this could be accommodated it would require a full overnight field changeover and venue clean.”

“This includes soccer goalposts being removed and rugby league goal posts installed, football lines over marked and rugby league line marking undertaken, a full venue clean, and any repairs undertaken on the playing surface. 

“Most of these works would be undertaken overnight (commencing after football players and spectators have left the venue), with the cost of this changeover being incurred by the applicant. 

“Council will continue to work with representatives from Group Three Rugby League in finding an amicable solution.”