I reply to the letter by the prospective UKIP candidate for Coxford Joe Lockyer who shows a complete ignorance of the plans to improve the sporting facilities at the Southampton Sports Centre.

The athletic club has never proposed the sale of any land and we do not support the sale of land, a decision which is in the hands of the duly elected members of Southampton City Council.

Southampton Athletic Club continue to have constructive discussions and support with all shades of political opinion and also the Friends of the Sports Centre and the various user groups.

Many of the meetings have been open to everyone to express their opinions and I do not recall Mr Lockyer attending or expressing a view, certainly not to me.

If he had done so I would have told him that before any application for funds to Sport England can be made, a review of the existing sporting facilities has to be completed by the council to ensure that the sporting provision is looked at on a City wide basis.

The athle tic club does not own nor does it have a lease for any part of the sports centre so we must rely on the city council to apply for any funding, however we continue to raise funds under our charitable status to improve the facilities.

Our position is that we wish to work together with all interested parties to improve the Sports Centre and although progress is admittedly slow we are encouraged by the determination of everyone involved.

Richie Pearson Chairman Southampton Athletic Club