NL25

NON-LEAGUE NEWS

GT25 (Summer 2001)

ASHTON UNITED (Unibond League) / CURZON ASHTON (North West Counties League)

The on-off saga regarding the proposed joint stadium for the two East Manchester clubs finally seems to have been resolved. Tameside Council is to build a £2 million Nationwide Conference stadium at Richmond Park, just under a mile from Ashton-under-Lyne town centre. The two clubs will share a 99-year lease at the stadium, the funds for which will come from the sale of the two clubs’ grounds at Hurst Cross and National Park, topped up by grants from bodies such as the Football Foundation. The new stadium is due to be up and running by the start of the 2002/3 season.

LEIGH RMI (Nationwide Conference)

Planning permission has been received for a single storey 1,424 seater stand at the Glebe Street end of Hilton Park. The new stand will also incorporate executive boxes and is designed to boost the seating capacity to the 2,500 minimum required by the rugby league authorities as tenants Leigh Centurions RLFC aim for a place in the Super League. Other improvements in the pipeline include a plan to raise the roof of the Supporters’ Stand in order to re-profile the shallow terracing, which at present hinders viewing.

YEOVIL TOWN (Nationwide Conference)

Yeovil’s long suffering standing spectators finally got a roof over their heads when the new covered terrace at Huish Park (pictured in magazine) was opened for the Nationwide Conference crunch match against Rushden & Diamonds in April.

FORD UNITED (Ryman League)

Ford are set to move to Barkingside’s Oakside ground for the start of next season after failing to satisfy Ryman League concerns about the length of the lease at their present Rush Green Road ground. After discussions with Barkingside it has been agreed that Ford United will take over the running of Oakside, with Essex Senior League Barkingside remaining as tenants. Extensive improvements have been carried out a the ground including a new covered terrace at the ball court end, an extension to the stand and further cover on the far side of the pitch. (See back cover of the magazine for a photo of Rush Green Road)

BATH CITY (Dr Martens League)

Plans by Bath City to sell Twerton Park in order to clear debts have been thrown out by their shareholders. Though 65% of those polled agreed to the sale, club rules dictate that the ground can only be sold if 75% of the shareholders give their consent. Unable to realize their most valuable asset, City must now consider other ways of reducing their debt burden.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE (Nationwide Conference)

A familiar part of the landscape at Victoria Road will disappear this summer when the 46-year old main stand is demolished (pictured in magazine). Built in 1955 during Dagenham’s first season at Victoria Road after taking over the ground from Briggs Sports, the part-wooden stand is to make way for a £500,000 800 seater replacement, £400,000 of which has been provided by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund.

MARCH TOWN UNITED (Jewson League)

One of the jewels in the crown of the Eastern League, the wonderful 500-seater stand at the Cambridgeshire club’s GER Sports Ground has been condemned and is awaiting demolition. Almost entirely wooden and nearly 80 years old, the stand is unlikely to be replaced, at least not in the short term. Division One rules require only covered accommodation and a shelter already exists on the opposite side of the pitch.

BARKING (Ryman League)

A series of major improvements, the first for many years, have been carried out at Mayesbrook Park ground as the East London club strive for a Ryman League ‘B’ grading. The terracing at the clubhouse end has been covered (pictured in magazine) and extra turnstiles installed.

MAIDSTONE UNITED (Kent County League)

Still hopeful of obtaining planning permission for a new ground on land presently owned by the MOD, The Stones have made arrangements to play at the second pitch at Sittingbourne’s Central Park ground should they win promotion to the Kent League. Already floodlit and railed off, a small stand will be erected in order to meet Kent League requirements.

WINCANTON TOWN (Yeovil & District League)

One doesn’t expect a side playing park football to suddenly build a grandstand but that it what has happened at Wincanton Town. Not even placed in the top division of the Yeovil & District League, Wincanton have constructed a 100-seat stand at their Moor Lane base (pictured in magazine), in addition to which a massive new dressing room complex is also taking shape.

WEYMOUTH (Dr Martens League)

The Dorset side have revealed plans for a £20 million multi-sports and leisure complex close to their current Wessex Stadium. As well as a 6,000 capacity football stadium, the proposed scheme includes conference facilities, a leisure centre, an athletics track and a ski centre. The new facility would be partly financed by the sale of the Wessex Stadium for development as a supermarket.

SWINDON SUPERMARINE (Hellenic League)

After spending £40,000 on ground improvements, including a 300-seat stand, the club’s Hunt Copse ground has been given the green light by Dr Martens League grading officials.

BUCKLAND ATHLETIC (Devon County League)

The Newton Abbot based side look set to lose their well-equipped Homers Lane ground. The ownership of the venue has been passed to a new company who are keen to sell the site for redevelopment. The club understand that they will be allowed to stay at Homers Lane for at least one more season. In the meantime efforts are being made to find a new ground.

STEVENAGE BOROUGH (Nationwide Conference)

The development of the Hertfordshire club’s impressive Broadhall Way ground continues apace with news of another new stand. It is to be built over the top of the existing away end terrace and will boost the seating capacity by a further 550, as well as providing additional standing covered accommodation. Work was due to start in May with a completion date set for August or September.

TETLEY WALKER (North West Counties League)

The Warrington based club’s excellent season in Division Two has been ruined by the news that they are to be thrown off their Long Lane ground (pictured in magazine). The reason given is that their players are not drinking enough beer in the clubhouse, the ownership of which changed when the local brewery closed down five years ago. Another former brewery-backed side, Greenalls, currently members of the Warrington League, will play at Long Lane next season. Tetley Walker meantime are in the process of trying to set up a ground-sharing agreement.

DONCASTER ROVERS (Nationwide Conference)

Doncaster Council are to undertake a detailed investigation into a plan for a new 10,000 capacity stadium in the town. The all-seater venue would be shared by Rovers and Doncaster Dragons Rugby League Club.

HANDSAKER (Midland Combination)

Handsaker are looking to move to a new £500,000 facility currently being built by Birmingham City Council off Tyburn Road as part of the redevelopment of the Pype Hayes estate. As the new ground is unlikely to be ready for next season, the club are to proceed with erecting floodlights at their current Hollyfieds base in Erdington.

MARGATE (Dr Martens League)

Faced with a daunting shopping list of improvements, Margate successfully completed the work demanded by the Nationwide Conference grading officials. The most impressive task carried out by the club was the levelling out of the infamous Hartsdown Park slope, a not inconsiderable feat in the middle of a football season. Other work has seen the installation of 500 individual seats in the main stand (pictured in magazine), the laying of new terracing on the far side of the ground and an upgrading of the floodlighting system.

DARTINGTON SC (South Devon League)

Set in the grounds of Dartington Hall, Dartington’s picturesque ground has been further enhanced by the addition of a small stand, the provision of which should be enough to secure them a place in the Devon County League.

BARWELL (Midland Alliance)

With the aid of a £60,000 Lottery Grant, the Leicestershire side have brought their Kirby Road ground up to Dr Martens League standard. In addition to a new 256-seater stand (pictured in magazine), an area of covered standing has been erected and a new concrete fence built around the perimeter of the ground.

CANVEY ISLAND (Ryman League)

Though the Essex club failed in their bid for promotion to the Nationwide Conference, they did at least upgrade their Park Lane ground in time for the April deadline. With the assistance of a Football Foundation grant they have extended their main stand to the 500-seat minimum, installed new terracing at the sea wall end and erected a new steel fence around the perimeter of the ground.

LUDLOW TOWN (West Midlands League)

Planning permission has been received for a new £2 million stadium at Burway Farm on the outskirts of the Shropshire town. Their current Riddings Park (pictured in magazine) is due to be sold for housing development, necessitating a ground-share arrangement while the new stadium is prepared. With promotion to the Midland Alliance likely, Ludlow have made the curious decision to lodge at Blakenall’s Red Lion ground, which is a 90 mile round trip from Ludlow.

HENLEY TOWN (Hellenic League)

A Football Foundation grant had allowed the Oxfordshire club to begin work on bringing their Triangle ground up to Hellenic League Premier Division standard. It is hoped that the proposed new stand and floodlights will be completed in time for the club to claim a promotion place.

HEDNESFORD TOWN (Nationwide Conference)

Even though Hednesford have relegated from the Conference the club intend to proceed with plans to improve the facilities at Keys Park. During the closes season work will commence on providing cover for both the East Stand and Heath Hayes end terraces.

BRIGHTLINGSEA UNITED (Jewson League)

The Oystermen are looking to relocate to a new 16-acre site in the East Essex town. Their present cramped North Road ground has been valued at £1.2 million, with the cost of the new ground expected to be around £800,000. If everything goes to plan Brightlingsea hope to playing at their new ground in August 2002.

The Cornish club have unveiled a £1.3 million scheme to upgrade the facilities at Bodieve Park. Including in the plans are a 109-seater stand, floodlights, new dressing rooms and additional pitches for their junior sides.

The defunct Southern League club’s former Priory Park ground will shortly be no more. It was sold 76 years ago to Taunton Rugby Club, with the ground retaining many of its original features including the magnificent 650 seater-stand. Sadly, the ground has been earmarked for housing.

Major improvements are underway at Stanway’s Hawthorns ground. In addition to the recently completed clubhouse, a grandstand is due to go up during the close season.

The DoE has cleared the way for B&Q to build a new store on the site of the Deres’ former Park View headquarters, thus enabling Erith to complete the sale of the ground. Currently groundsharing at Welling United, Erith plan to use some of the proceeds on building their own 600-seater stand at Park View Road, which will incorporate their own club offices and social club facilities.

The Somerset club have agreed to sell their Badgers Hill ground for redevelopment and move to a new Dr Martens League standard ground on the edge of town. Two sites at Blatchbridge are currently being considered. Grounds expert Kerry Miller has been invited onto the working committee for the new ground so be prepared for something spectacular!

A small covered shelter (pictured in magazine) has gone up at the North Norfolk side’s Cabbell Park ground. It occupies the same site as the former wooden stand, which some of our readers might remember, featured on the cover of the very first issue of GROUNDTASTIC

Nuneaton appear to have embarked on risky course of action by entering into negotiations to their sell their Manor Ground to builders Barratt Homes, despite the fact they have no new ground to go to. They are pinning all their hopes on winning an appeal against a council decision to turn down their application for a new stadium at Elliott Park.

Ipswich Town have put in a bid to buy the Humber Doucy Lane Sports Centre, home of Jewson League Premier Division side Ipswich Wanderers. Wanderers, who have nine years remaining on their lease, have been assured that their future at the ground is secure. In recent years Ipswich Town have acquired a number of sports grounds in Ipswich Town in order to provide training facilities for their various teams, a policy that is indirectly threatening the future of senior football in the town. The Premiership club already own the former Crane Sports and Fisons grounds, in addition to which they have been using the Suffolk College ground for Academy matches. Though not connected to Ipswich Town’s empire building, two other senior grounds in Ipswich are set to disappear with British Sugar losing their ground at Sproughton Road, and BT Hollies losing theirs at Bucklesham.

Paulton’s Winterfield Road ground is fast becoming one of the best in the Western League. Covered terracing now stretches down one side and behind one goal (pictured right by Mike Floate), while work is being carried out to extend the stand and provide extra boardroom facilities.

The already impressive facilities at Aldiss Park are to be further enhanced by the addition of covered terrace areas behind both goals.

The timing of the announcement of the merger between Bloxwich’s two senior clubs – the eve of April Fools’ Day – created some scepticism over whether or not it would actually happen. But now it is clear that the new Bloxwich United club will take over Blakenall’s Dr Martens League Western Division place for next season, subject to agreement of the League itself. The merged club has said that it will use Blakenall’s Red Lion Ground (pictured left by Colin Peel) for the next two years whilst Bloxwich Town’s Abbey Park is redeveloped.

Aiming for a place in the Nationwide Conference is the not too distant future, the West Midlands side have erected a 1,000 capacity covered terrace at their Queen Street ground. Other improvements have seen extra seats added to the main stand and the provision of new boardroom and administrative facilities. The club have also laid the foundations for a new stand at the School End.

CHESHUNT (Ryman League)
Should the Ryman league reorganise its divisions on a regional basis, Cheshunt will be members of the proposed first division north, so long as they upgrade their Theobalds lane ground from a Ryman 'c' grade to Ryman 'b'. This will involve installing turnstiles, raising some terracing behind one of the goals and installing seats on the existing covered terracing. The Club is hoping to use the seats from Enfield's old Southbury Road Ground, which have lain in storage at Cheshunt since Enfield's failed attempt to buy the lease on Cheshunt Stadium in December 1999. New seating may also be installed in the existing main stand but in both cases no alterations will be made to the existing 'rakes'.

ENFIELD (Ryman League)
The E's stay at Boreham Wood looks set to continue into next season with only the possibility new home back in Enfield being at the proposed new National athletics Stadium at Pickets Lock. This would involve converting the warm-up track into a football ground for the club to use but, even if the stadium was built (and that's not certain), this idea is only a suggestion and wouldn't be available until after the 2005 world championship's were over. Hopes of a quick return to the borough were scuppered in January when, after much arm-twisting by supporters, Enfield's Chairman, Tony Lazarou, displayed plan's for a temporary groundshare at BrimsdownRovers’ Goldsdown Road ground, but subsequently withdrew the proposal after objections from local residents.

Malvern are the latest side to consider building a new stadium after local press reports that the club has received “a firm offer from a housebuilder” to buy Langland Avenue. The club has said, however, that no move would take place until the new ground had been built.