GT21 (Summer 2000)

NORTHWICH VICTORIA

If proof were needed that history counts for nothing in the country that gave football to the world, Drill Field , the oldest continuously used ground on the planet is up for sale.  Home to the Vics since 1875 and a Football League venue for two seasons in the 1890s, rising debts and the realisation that further ground improvements would prove prohibitively expensive, have forced the Nationwide Conference club to do the unthinkable and cash in on their most valuable asset.  In the short time the site has been on the market a £2 million offer has already been received from one developer.  A move to a new 6,000 capacity stadium at a Cheshire Council owned site at Moss Park, Winnington is the likeliest option, with the Drill Field grandstand, floodlights and the 2 year old Dane Bank stand making the journey with them. Plans to merge or groundshare with near neighbours Witton Albion have fallen through after the Unibond League club sold off part of the land at their Wincham Park base to clear debts of their own, thereby effectively rendering the ground unsuitable for the Conference.  By no means the best ground in the Conference, or even the most attractive, it will still be a sad day for both Vics supporters and football ground lovers in general when the bulldozers finally move in. The new ground is expected to be ready some time during the 2001-2002 season, and a temporary groundshare at Crewe, Chester or Altrincham is on the cards.

 ALSAGER TOWN

An application to build a 300-seat stand and install floodlights at the Staffordshire club’s Wood Park ground has been submitted.  Such improvements will be needed if the club are to secure promotion to the North West Trains League First Division in the future.

 HEREFORD UNITED

Having surrendered the lease at their Edgar Street ground to developers in order to clear debts, the Nationwide Conference club have been cheered by the news that local council, who own the ground, are keen to keep United at Edgar Street.  Multi-million pound plans to develop the town centre site around the ground have been discussed, with proposals that include the construction of hotels, retail outlets and a multiplex cinema.  Due to leave Edgar Street by 2003 unless the money loaned to them is repaid, the Bulls can now look forward to the future, and possible promotion back to the Football League, with more confidence.

  YEOVIL TOWN

It is almost certain that the construction of a covered terrace at Huish Park will take place during the summer (See illustration). Plans have been submitted to the local council and the Nationwide Conference club are inviting tenders for the project.  A supporters’ fund has already raised £13,000 towards the cost.  

 QUORN

The Leicestershire Senior League side have made massive strides since moving to Farley Way three years ago, creating a top class football ground from what was originally a farmer’s field.  In order to gain a Midland Football Alliance grading, a 400-seater grandstand has now been built opposite the impressive pitch-side clubhouse (See photo below – Vince Taylor).  Stretching almost the entire length of the pitch, the new structure is fitted out with bright red seats and is an attractive addition to a neat and well cared for set-up.

BAMBER BRIDGE

A new 500 seater stand is planned at the Unibond League club’s Irongate Ground, replacing the former main stand damaged by gales last year.  Most of the £260,000 cost of the project has already been raised, with £140,000 forthcoming  from the Football Trust.  Work is expected to begin at the end of the season.

 BOOTLE

Both its unpromising location close to the giant Switch Island roundabout and the patched up quality of its spectator facilities make the North West Trains League club’s Bucks Park ground one of the least loved of venues.   Also periodically troubled by vandals, the club have announced their intention to leave Bucks Park, with Kirkby Stadium, last used for senior football by Kirkby Town (see feature in Groundtastic 20) their likeliest destination. 

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN

It’s the time of the year for disputes over ground grading requirements and the West Hertfordshire club are the latest club to become embroiled.  After securing promotion to the Ryman League First Division One, Hemel were dismayed to learn that their ground had failed to attract the necessary ‘B’ grading.   Concerns over the lease were expressed (which the club have since sorted out) and unusually, the temporary covers that were erected until planning permission was received to build more permanent structures, were considered aesthetically unacceptable.  At the time of going to press, the club were pressing ahead with an appeal.   

TELFORD UNITED

The covered end at Buck’s Head was the first part of the Nationwide Conference club’s ground to be demolished as work commenced on the massive £8.5 million rebuilding programme due to be completed by the end of the 2001-2002 season.  The club have said that the ground will be re-named when it re-opens.

RUGBY TOWN

Oakfield, the home of Southern League Rugby Town until their disbandment in 1973, was originally targeted as the home for a new Rugby Town club who will enter the Midland Combination next season.  The local authority, which owns the ground were not enthusiastic about the idea however and Oakfield will continue to be used for junior football.  The new Rugby Town club are now in discussions with Rugby RUFC, whose floodlit ground at Webb Ellis Road they would like to share.

 WEST MIDLANDS FIRE SERVICE

The Midland Combination side have announced that they will quit football at the end of the season following the expiry of the lease at their Solihull based Lugtrout Lane ground

CAMBRIDGE CITY

A major series of improvements have been announced at Milton Road.  The Dr Martens League club are to extend the main stand, replace the existing covered terrace on the opposite side with a new structure, construct a further covered terrace at the School End, and build a new terrace complete with other facilities at the Westbrook end.  New floodlights are also on the agenda.

 DOWNHAM TOWN

Improvements designed to bring Lynn  Road up to Jewson League Premier Division standard are being carried out by the Norfolk club.  Seating is to be installed in the existing brick shelter, on either side of which two sections of cover have already been added.   

CLACTON TOWN

The go-ahead Jewson League side have built a new covered terrace opposite the main stand at the Rush Green Bowl and have plans for another shelter at the far end. 

 BRIXHAM UNITED

Briefly members of the Western League from 1976 to 1981, the Devon side have been carrying out a series of impressive improvements at their Wall Park ground.  Presently playing in the South Devon League, they have recently finished work on a new seated stand on the allotment side of the ground.  Replacing the small shelter that formerly stood on the site, the elevated structure also incorporates two dugouts slotted in beneath the seated area.

CHELMSFORD CITY

City’s move to a new £2 million stadium at Boreham moved a step forward when agreement was reached with Countryside Properties, the developers who are providing the land for the project.  Technical difficulties have seen the site of the stadium shifted 100 yards since the proposals were first drawn up, but revised plans are now to be submitted to the local council.  Currently playing at Billericay Town’s New Lodge Ground, City have paid for a new stand to be built on the training pitch side of the ground.  Seating from the Blunts Wall Lane end has been removed and installed in the new stand, thus ensuring that the ground is eligible for the Dr Martens League Premier Division should City win promotion before they relocate to their new stadium.

ERITH & BELVEDERE

The former football ground of the Kent club is to become a DIY retail warehouse. Bexley councillors have given the green light to plans to redevelop the ground in Lower Road Belvedere as a new B&Q store.  The site of more than nine acres will have a store with a restaurant, builder’s year and garden centre with parking for 614 Cars.  The club has now moved to share Welling United’s ground at Park View Road, Welling.

WELLING UNITED

A 600 seater stand is to built on the site of the existed covered terrace at Park View Road as the Kent side commence a series of long overdue improvements.  Due to cost in the region of £500,000, the new stadium is part of an 18 month programme designed to raise the ground capacity to over 6,000.

 STRATFORD TOWN

The Warwickshire club looks like missing out on promotion to the Dr Martens League due to ground grading. As Stratford failed to win the Midland Alliance, they were expected to lose out to Mangotsfield United for the fourth promotion slot as the Bristolians’ ground is thought to have the edge in grading. Alliance champions Oadby Town did not apply due to ground inadequacies.

HASTINGS TOWN / ST LEONARDS

Plans to merge the two neighbouring Dr Martens League clubs appear to have run into a dead end, and both clubs will continue as separate entities next season based at their existing grounds. 

CHICHESTER CITY/ PORTFIELD

The two Sussex County League clubs are to join forces next season, apparently under the name of Chichester City United. They plan to play at Portfield’s current Church Road ground until Christmas, by which time Chichester’s Oaklands ground should have received an overhaul, included amongst which is a new 500 seater stand. 

 DONCASTER BELLES

The Belles are set to become the first women’s team to have a stadium of their own.  Currently playing at Hatfield Main FC, they have been given a lease on some Doncaster Council land at Toll Bar, which they hope to develop into a 1,500 capacity stadium.   The project, which will also include a centre of excellence for women’s football, is expected to cost in the region of £1 million, with funding coming from a Sport England lottery grant.

KINGS NORTON TOWN

The Midland Alliance side, formerly known as Richmond Swifts – is folding this Summer due to problems developing their former ground. The club played at the well-appointed Triplex Sports Ground in Kings Norton (South Birmingham) until promotion to the Alliance forced a move to a floodlit ground. Kings Norton were sharing Sandwell Borough’s Oldbury Stadium whilst strenuous efforts were made to get permission for lights back at Triplex, but to no avail.

STAINES TOWN

The Ryman League club have received planning permission to carry out extensive improvements to their Wheatsheaf Lane ground.  A new fitness/ leisure complex is to be built, together with a new stand, new dressing rooms and executive boxes.

WESTLANDS SPORTS

A new out of town site has been earmarked for the Dorset Combination side whose Westbourne Grove ground is to be sold for housing.  Featuring a small stand and an adjoining covered area, the ground, which was within walking distance of Yeovil Town’s former Huish ground, hosted Western League football from 1974 to 1980 when the club was known as Westland Yeovil.

WESTFIELDS

The Hereford-based West Midlands League side played their last game at their Rotherwas Ground at the end of April. Owners Thorn Lighting have sold the ground for housing and light industrial development. Westfields have applied to upgrade facilities at Herefordshire Sixth Form College (stand and lights are mandatory), otherwise they will ground-share at either Leominster or Kington.

PLYMOUTH PARKWAY

The Jewson South Western League club look set to groundshare with Devon County League side Elburton Villa next season following the sale for redevelopment of their Parkway ground.   The loss of the Parkway will deprive the south west of one of its more unusual grounds.  Extensively improved in recent years with the construction of two covered areas and the installation of floodlights, the hilltop clubhouse included a glassed off viewing area that provided a superb view of both the pitch and the River Tamar. 

CIRENCESTER TOWN

Having sold theirTetbury Road to developers, the Dr Martens League Western Division side are said to be considering a groundshare with Nationwide League Swindon Town while work on their new ground at Kingshill Lane is completed.

RAYNES PARK VALE

The Combined Counties League club lost the use of their Grand Drive ground last season following a dispute with the owners, the London Playing Fields Association.  It has since been disclosed that the LPFA have sold Grand Drive and the surrounding complex to Wimbledon FC, who will use the site as their new training ground. 

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED

The North Western Trains League side have started work on the erection of a covered stand at the cricket ground end of their picturesque Riverside ground.  Plans are also afoot to obtain a direct electricity supply.  Currently all lighting and heating is supplied by an oil-fired generator which, after bellowing a certain amount of smoke around the ground, adds quite significantly to noise levels on match days!

MALTBY MAIN

The Northern Counties East League side have met with ground-grading problems recently and have been facing the punishment of automatic relegation from the Premier Division unless the issue of perimeter hard standing at their Muglet Lane ground is not resolved.  The Miners Welfare cannot fund the work, estimated to cost in the region of £6,000, and the fate of the club lies with the league’s administrators.

HUCKNALL TOWN / HUCKNALL ROLLS

Unibond League Town are considering a groundshare with Central Midlands League neighbours Hucknall Rolls.  The clubs’ grounds are in the same road and Rolls are facing automatic relegation unless their home is upgraded with floodlights.  Proposals include the clubs both sharing Town’s Watnall Road home for first team games, with both reserve sides utilising the Rolls Royce Ground opposite.  Talk of a possible future merger has also been aired.

CRADLEY TOWN