Worries about Footes Lane

[Smudge]

An F.A.inspection as regards the current grading,is due to take place.It has been rumoured that up to £500,000 will be needed to bring the ground up to the required level for Step 5 grade F status,they have until March 2013 to complete the work.The idea has been mooted that a move to The Track could be a solution.With them being front runners for promotion in the Premier this year,and being such a well run Club,that this would of been thought about before now.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

I'm sure that it won't be a problem for them, and that this would have been taken into account as part of the business plan.

[Smudge]

Think the hard part would be convincing the states to fully enclose the ground.

[Guernsey local]

Indeed, article here from today's paper: http://www.thisisguernsey.com/comment/rob-batiste/2012/07/07/green-lions-a-special-case/

 

£500k seems a lot for enclosing a ground though...

[HKP]

I have been mentioning this since the start of last season, most people just dismissed my concerns.

 

Always said the ground was the biggest hurdle that GFC faced, even though Sports editor of the Guernsey 'Press said he was not worried as he thought the FA would treat GFC differently! lol.

[HKP]

Indeed, article here from today's paper: http://www.thisisgue...a-special-case/

 

£500k seems a lot for enclosing a ground though...

Its a lot more complicated than that.

[NICE GUY]

WHAT £500,000 (no VAT !) someone will be quids in..... !

 

HKP so could this be the almighty Guernsey's last season? This is Guernseys rich pickings of their players, so in theory I repeat, they should be called their NATIONAL team, so I cannot see why the Guernsey FA will not support their NATIONAL team ? Its like the English FA not having a ground for England surely !

[HKP]

The GFA don't have that sort of money NG, plus the club is totally independent of them. It the National team of sorts (players wise), but they are two separate entities.

[duncs]

Surely this was always considered as a likely problem I can't believe that this wasn't allowed for or will the club just be allowed to stay in the CCL like many other clubs the outcome of this could be like so many of the clubs that have come and gone and some as I have said before have free fallen and become non existent.

[Smudge]

Guernsey is no different to any local authority in England.Football is well down the pecking order in terms of Finance.And in these hard economic times,even further down the list.What marvels me is that Clubs with running tracks round them,have to pay the going rate,whereas Athletic Clubs pay a peppercorn rent or none at all.Wonder if Guernsey is any different?All comes back to the old school tie,ATHLETICS AND RUGBY were high on their agenda,in their Schooldays they look after their own.

[missunderstood]

To enclose a small stadium with a decent standard corrugated fence would cost around £60,000, (mainland prices). If the local authority deem that to be not in keeping with the surrounding area it could easily be made to look more attractive by growing ivy on it.

[Smudge]

To enclose a small stadium with a decent standard corrugated fence would cost around £60,000, (mainland prices). If the local authority deem that to be not in keeping with the surrounding area it could easily be made to look more attractive by growing ivy on it.

 

Its not a small stadium though.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

I wonder if Steve Lansdown could be persuaded to invest a chunk in Guernsey, now that he's no longer involved with Bristol City?

 

You'd best watch out that clubs don't suddenly start bidding half a million for Ross Allen!

[NICE GUY]

The GFA don't have that sort of money NG, plus the club is totally independent of them. It the National team of sorts (players wise), but they are two separate entities.

 

So HKP tyhere is indeed a good possibility that Guernsey will be no more next season unless this matter is delat with ?

 

I feel that half-a-million quid to secure, case off the ground is faf too excessive and someone must be making a mint out of this....Is wood that expensive in Guernsey.... !

 

In all honesty, I see this as no laughing matter and astonished that this predicument was thought of before starting up the club ? Didn't Guernsey FC think they would win the CCL Div. 1 or something ?

 

HKP, as an alternative, what other grounds could Guernsey FC have with the appropriate grounding requirements ?

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Apart from Footes Lane, the only other grounds where Guernsey could play are Corbet Field and the Arsenal Ground (both of which have capacities under 1,500 - Footes Lane is 6,000). I have no idea what their ground grading is.

 

I can't see Mark Le Tissier and Steve Dewnship giving up on the Guernsey adventure. Steve is very financially astute (although he works for the Rothshchild's...) so I'm sure he'll find backers to secure funding for stadium developments.

 

Failing that, you'll have to hope that a rich Saudi prince drops in one day!

[HKP]

Where is the Arsenal Ground? Only place I know called that is in Alderney! http://en.wikipedia....nd_(Mount_Hale)

Corbet Field has had bigger crowds that 1,500. But does not have any official FA groud rating.

Edited July 9, 2012 by HKP

[HKP]

So HKP tyhere is indeed a good possibility that Guernsey will be no more next season unless this matter is delat with ?

I never said that.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Ah, on closer inspection it IS in Alderney - my mistake.

 

There's too much for Guernsey to lose out on, should the worst happen and the club fold due to not being able to get the grading. However, let's not talk doom - I'm sure that they'll be ok.

[HKP]

But they can still play in Combined Counties Division 1?

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Hopefully, as long as the FA bigwigs don't tighten the ground regulations even further!

 

Anyway, as a Gloucester fan, I'd rather be in your shoes at the moment as word is that newts could halt our new stadium from going up...