Piper: "WE can save new ground plans"

[blueblood]

For you out side Thanet Gazette area.

"KP" has acted quickly after Travelodge pulled out following hold ups with 125 year lease for the Hotel. He told the isle of thanet Gazette, "we're talking to 2 national hotel operators". "We have a meeting with the council early next week and I am hoping maybe in the next couple of weeks we can get the development back on track".

 

KP also said that one way to get finance into the club would be to put a 3g surface on the main pitch as this would give 7 day use of the space. To summarise KP said unlike Maidstone, Margate would not go down this route until 3g was given the nod by the FA. He emphasised, Margate is an ambitious club so, the FA cup/ Trophy Is important to us. With teams such as Accrington Stanley and Wycombe wanderers pushing for 3g he envisaged a change of mind in the FA in the next few years.

[Coffin Ender]

The main problem with a plastic pitch is not the cup competitions (I believe Maidstone are playing their cup ties at Chatham next season) but the fact the Conference won't allow them in any of their divisions. Hopefully that will change at some point.

[Tesco Bazza]

I think I remember suggesting this idea a while back

[Pagey]

just read the letters page. there are loads of letters having a dig at the council for their lack of foresight towards both the minnis bay car park issue and the lack of action for MFC

[michael]

Kp has- and obviously is-working his socks off on the ground issue-when someone of lesser calibre would have thrown in the towell

 

However -there is a quantum leap between talking hoping and trying -and signing ,funding and doing.

 

Obviously a much larger cost in investing in a 3G pitch-but if the development does find frsh legs-that is the one thing i would take the risk on.

Edited March 23, 2012 by michael

[Coffin Ender]

Don't forget a 3G (outside the ground) was in the original plans.

[Roseyboy]

I think that if the leases were in place there would be a host of companies willing to invest

[Cookie]

All leases except the major one required for the new company coming in. Negotiations will have to begin again on that one.

Hopefully 125 years won't be asked for again as things would surely go the same way as before,with the council blocking it again if that length were sought a second time.

This council wont allow that length of lease no matter what proof is put in front of them.We've just seen that.They will only move the goalposts yet again.

We need to seek a shorter lease than 125 yrs but one that can be both acceptable,viable & workable to the new company coming in and with the council. At least then we would have an outside chance,at least,of seeing this go through.

Edited March 24, 2012 by Cookie

[michael]

I think that if the leases were in place there would be a host of companies willing to invest

 

Why ?

[peter]

On the subject of '3G' pitches as has been described here, there is news in Europe which will filter down through to the UK and probably England last:

 

UEFA have sanctioned the use of 3G pitches for Champions League games now. This means clubs such as HJK (Helsinki) who regularly qualify for Champions League qualifiers (and once group stage) can play at their home ground to attempt to qualify for the competition. Michel Platini has granted this rule change in UEFA Champions League (it has already been in place for 2 years for Europa League). It means that poorer teams and those from the North where maintaining grass in temperatures of -25c in the winter is hard can compete. From my experience, it means clubs like HJK Helsinki do not have to move their games to the Olympic Stadium of Helsinki to play Champions League matches (unless there is a bigger crowd expected) and so do not have to spend that money doing so. It is part of Platini's plan to create a more level playing field in European football.

 

What does that mean for English football you ask?

 

Well, we know that the arrogance of English football is hard to beat so they will wait and wait and wait until the final moment to change their rules but there is pressure from a number of clubs in the football league (Northampton, Leyton Orient if they stay at their ground, Luton Town & Morecombe off the top of my head and many more) to install these pitches which are synthetic grass and nothing like the old 'plastic pitches'. I have played on many and there is no problem in tackling, sliding, diving etc. they are very good, true and natural.

 

However, English football may lag behind (they think they are trendsetters) but Welsh football which is better than many think has agreed that clubs in all leagues may install these pitches if they like. This means clubs competing in Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, as above, can use them here too. The likes of Bangor, Connah's Quay and TNS are already very likely to start the process of installation dependent on new grounds and redevelopments of existing grounds etc.

 

In Ireland, you will find these pitches now and that is at all levels including clubs like those you see playing Tottenham in Europe.

 

This '3G' pitch is most definately coming. If there is somebody with half a brain lobbying for it to happen, it will. The FA though will be one of the last to say yes however and will leave it to individual elements to say yes or no.

 

This means you need the conference to say yes first, meaning all those at that level can get one (and below) but means the football league must then agree if you have ambitions to compete there.

 

The Premier League will be last in the world and the F.A. will do exactly F. A. (all)

 

You heard it here seventh...

[Paul H]

I have to agree with the above. I used to train on Minsters 3G pitch. It is 2/3 the size of a normal pitch but is a great area to train on. Having also played on Margate FC's 5 a side pitches I have to say that I prefer the Minster surface. It is softer to play on and as a keeper, it's better than diving on a rock hard grass pitch in the summer pre season friendlies. The MFC pitches are a little harder and not as pleasant to dive on, so what ever MFC have done that is different to Minsters, perhaps they could put it right should they get the chance to install a full size one. If MFC were to get the go ahead to install a 3G pitch, it would open up all sorts of benefits for the club. I also think it would be very popular amoungst the local football community.

[blueblood]

I believe all Rugby league super league clubs will be playing on "3G" surfaces next season. Talking on 5 live the other night a player said the only time the "3g" caused any problems( skin burns etc) was when they played in extreme cold. he said this was a small price.

My USA team "Orlando City" also play "Soccer" on the surface

If "3G" allowed the club to maximise revenue then, bring it on. Would have to buy "Graham" a new brushing machine though.

[marksandwell]

I still prefer Grass.

[peter]

Added to this, 17 out of 20 Premier League clubs and many others throughout the Football League already use a hybrid system where grass (natural) is mixed with woven strands of synthetic fibres to create the playing surface.

 

This hybrid is weighted 60% to 40% with actual grass at 60%.

 

So, its not that far a stretch for 100% synthetic 'grass' to be used...

[Roseyboy]

On this occasion the grass appears greener