25 July 2012 - The Torch

THE Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Sydney Olympic Football Club will be unable to play at their home ground until at least August, with Belmore Sports Ground remaining closed due to the poor state of its playing surface.

However, Canterbury City Council have permitted the Bulldogs to continue training at Belmore Oval.

"The closure of Belmore Sports Ground relates to the middle third of the football field," General Manager Jim Montague said.

"The Bulldogs have been given permission to use the undamaged outer two thirds of the ground for training purposed only."

The council initially advised both clubs in June that the field would not be available for use until July. Now its reopening has been delayed until at least August, when Mr Montague said its condition would be re-assessed to see if it was ready for full use.

Sydney Olympic FC met with the council last night to discuss the situation. Outcomes of the meeting will be reported in next week's edition of the Torch.