THE rebuilding of a community centre in Harrow Weald should be secure despite backers Watford Football Club teetering on the brink of administration, Harrow Council has said.

Plans are being developed to build a new community and sports centre on the site of Cedars Youth and Community Centre, in Chicheley Gardens, with the backing of the club and the council.

However, last night's news that the club may go into administration after former chairman Jimmy Russo walked out and demanded a £4.88m loan back have cast a shadow over the future of the club.

Paul Clark, the council's director of children's services, today sought to reassure the public that the community centre project should be safe.

He said: "It is important to stress that Harrow Council's agreement is with Watford Football Club's Community Sports and Education Trust, which is a separate charitable organisation.

“It has separate accounts and is differently funded through organisations like the Football League Trust and government grants.

"We are therefore confident that the Cedars Estate project will proceed despite any changes in the club's administration."

The same should apply to the Kickz programme, a youth engagement programme for budding footballers in Harrow, which is also run by the club's charitable trust.

The Harrow Times contacted Watford Football Club to clarify the position of its Harrow projects, and is awaiting a response.

Mr Russo has demanded back his money by the end of today, and the club faces administration and a ten point penalty if money cannot be found to close the funding gap.