Horsham's proposed ground share with Crawley Town at the Broadfield Stadium is off - and the Reds are to blame.

That is the opinion of Crawley Borough Council, who own the ground.

Ryman premier division side Horsham have to quit Queen Street at the end of the season after selling the ground to developers.

But hopes of moving into Broadfield Stadium from next season while a new stadium is built at Holbrook have been scuppered.

A council spokesperson said: "The ground share isn't happening. We are frustrated with Crawley Town Football Club's approach to the ground share negotiations between Crawley Borough Council, Horsham Football Club and the Ryman League.

"We were making good progress towards signing an agreement last week before Crawley Town FC made unreasonable demands of Horsham FC.

"Crawley Council has done its best to broker an agreement since negotiations began last year. A sharing arrangement would have benefited all parties."

However Steve Evans, manager of Blue Square premier side Crawley, hit back.

He said: "Everyone wants to blame Crawley Town Football Club for everything. Now our own council wants to blame us for something.

"I would have thought their senior interest would be Crawley Town. What have they to do with Horsham? It's a strange statement.

"It is my own view and not shared by anyone else at my club as far as I know but Horsham have come unstuck.

"When I look at how close Horsham have let this run to the deadline with the Ryman League it beggars belief.

"As manager, I wouldn't want to share with the pitch as poor as it is. Crawley Borough Council should have worked harder on it. We need to have a good surface. I'm sure Dean Wilkins (the Albion manager) wouldn't like his pitch not being the best.

"I've not been involved in any discussions (concerning the ground share) but the Conference have a TV deal with Setanta that doesn't allow for back-to-back games. More importantly, what happens if Setanta want to switch a Saturday game to a Tuesday when Horsham are playing? We cannot run the risk that the Conference cuts us out of the TV deal.

"But I wish Horsham well. I've got a lot of time for the people there like the manager John Maggs."

Ryman League chairman Alan Turvey said: "I haven't heard officially that the ground share with Crawley is off but I understood from talking to Horsham last week that there had been problems as far as Crawley Town were concerned.

"Horsham know entirely what they have to do to satisfy the league. It's in their hands."

Horsham Football Club declined to comment.

Who do you think is to blame for Horsham's plight?