Wings for Chicken’s footy plan

Alex de Vos
A Geelong radio announcer is a step closer to his controversial dream of setting up a junior football club on the Surf Coast.
KRock’s Paul ‘Chicken’ Dyer said he was “thrilled” Torquay College had offered its oval as a home ground for Jan Juc Football Club juniors.
Last week the Independent revealed the future of his proposal was in doubt after Surf Coast Shire rejected his bid for a rival team to nearby Torquay Football Club.
The shire’s letter to Mr Dyer said council had “a number of concerns” about his plan.
“There is a lack of another ground/pavilion for use by the Jan Juc Junior Football Club,” the letter said.
The shire argued that the proposed club would also lead to “scheduling problems” and “over-use” of Jan Juc’s Bob Pettit Reserve.
Council’s letter suggested a new community precinct could accommodate the club “in the future”.
But the former Big Brother contestant said he was confident the club would now go ahead following Monday’s “lifeline”.
“Torquay College has done what the shire couldn’t do,” Mr Dyer said.
“Jan Juc is its own community and we’re really trying to provide a choice for the children.”
Mr Dyer said the next hurdle was to win the support of Football Geelong.
“I’m feeling really confident now we’re got a ground and Football Geelong has been cooperative,” he said.
Mr Dyer said council had misunderstood his proposal.
“They don’t want to listen to us and they’re trying to say we’re attempting to take over Bob Pettit Reserve,” he said.
The Independent reported in August that Mr Dyer wanted to set up the junior club to service the Surf Coast’s growing population.
He pointed out that Torquay Football Club had 15 junior teams.
“I don’t know of any other club that has more,” Mr Dyer said.