Worries about Footes Lane

[Guernsey Guru]

Guernsey have lots of options when it comes to playing arenas. The Corbet Field and the Track are both grounds who could cope easily with GFC. The Track remains the home of the Guernsey FA side and is used for the annual 'muratti' vs Jersey when played in Guernsey. Back in the 50's attendances were near 20,000 (and sometimes more I believe) so the Track would easily cope with 2,000. In fact a couple of years ago a Liverpool Legends side played there and attracted a crowd of 3,000 so GFC would have no problems playing there with the crowds they are experiencing.

 

In my opinion the Track is the home of Guernsey football anyway. It has all of the history of the Muratti and our venture into the National Systems Cup. It has a much better atmosphere than Footes Lane as the crowd is much closer to the play and the surface is ten times better than Footes Lanes as no egg chasing happens there. It is tully enclosed and I gather Belgrave Wanderers (who own the ground) have recently upgraded the home changing room to FA standards and are about to commence work on the away changing room.

 

The stand must hold at least double what the stand at Footes Lane can take - it is just a much better football ground than Footes Lane. I gather GFC are playing a pre-season friendly at the Track later this month vs Jersey Scottish. It will be interesting to compare the atmosphere between the 2 grounds but if I was anything to do with GFC I would be speaking to Belgrave Wanderers as they have the answer to all of GFC's problems - at nothing more than a hire cost that I doubt would be any more expensive than they are already paying to hire Footes Lanes

 

I should have added that only a few years back there was a long and drawn out dispute over where the local representative football should be played (Footes Lane or the Track). The suuporters overwhelmingly supported the Track and I believe that after 1 Guernsey FA game at Footes Lane the football was moved back to the Track

Edited July 9, 2012 by Guernsey Guru

[danielpjn]

Does the league rule stating that "ground sharing is permitted, but not in order to gain promotion or to avoid relegation" still apply? If so, I believe Guersney FC would have to put in place a ground sharing agreement fairly quickly in order for it to be valid for this season. My understanding is that as long as the agreement is in place, this should suffice the league rule and there is no actual requirement to play at the other ground this season. Happy to be corrected if this is inaccurate though.

[Jurg78]

Does it have the correct level of FA ground grading though? Just because it can cope with big crowds doesn't mean that it has (a recreation ground can in theory cope with a big crowd).

[HKP]

Guernsey have lots of options when it comes to playing arenas. The Corbet Field and the Track are both grounds who could cope easily with GFC.

But the problem is would these clubs want GFC? I doubt the Corbet Field is a starter at all as they do not own the Ground as its owned by the Corbet Family Trust. Vale Rec who play at ther Corbet Field are known to be quite anti GFC.

Why would a club suddenly want another 20 to 30 matches on their Ground and have to play second fiddle to GFC?

Clubs in Guernsey run their first team, reserves, veterans, youth teams, womens team, mostly from the same ground! So I cant see how these pitches can take anymore matches. OK, they could play elsewhere but then the club would lose some of its identity..

[Guernsey Guru]

GFC will play at Footes Lane this season without any issues and, if needs be after the inspection, could speak to other clubs regarding groundsharing towards the end of this season

 

Most Guernsey sides do not have first team football when GFC are playing in any case. Again Belgrave Wanderers also have Victoria Avenue which is used for most fixtures other than first team but has been used for first team in the past. The Track could easily take another 30 games, it looked totally unused at the end of last season and will be in even better condition for the start of this season.

 

In the case of the Track the income from hire of a pitch that would otherwise not be used is something that Belgraves may be happy to see, obviously I dont know but income of some kind would always be welcomed to further improve their facilities.

 

I think that the Track does meet FA regulations as the NLS Cup final was played there only a couple of years ago and since then as I have already stated Belgraves have spent further money on their facilities.

 

Blanche Pierre Lane has also accomodated all sorts of top fixtures including West Brom vs Birmingham back in the 70's when both teams were Div 1 sides. I dont think that they can accomodate UK fixtures now as they dont have a stadium but their pitch is normally amazing.

 

GFC do have options as Guernsey does have superb facilities away from Footes Lane

[bomaya]

GFC will play at Footes Lane this season without any issues

 

But I think they need to be at the required grade by March 31st or face possible demotion.

[HKP]

Exactly bomaya.

[Guernsey Guru]

Believe me it will all be sorted

 

Le Tissier and Dewsnip will have this dealt with one way or the other already. Whether that is in the shape of funding the required changes to Footes Lane or seeking a change of venue

 

Another question then: I thought that if a visiting team arrived in Guernsey and Footes Lane was unplayable for any reason then GFC could approach other clubs to ensure the fixture went ahead

 

A few years ago local side Sylvans used Blanche Pierre Lane (home of Guernsey St Martins FC) for their home fixtures in the Hampshire Cup. How did this happen??

[HKP]

GFC could ask another club, but only if that Ground meets certain criteria. The rules are different for the Hampshire Cup, plus Priaulx clubs tend to want to work together. Must Priaulx clubs do not seem to want to work with GFC.

[Smudge]

Clubs bend over backwards for F.A.'s as regards grounds,they see it as an honour.Many do not even charge them a Fee.A lot different with most other Requests from other Clubs.Where there can be ill feeling from the past.Guernsey F.C. have lowered the level of the Priaulx,by their very existence.It's a shame in a way that the Egg Chasers,were first in at Footes Lane,any alterations to Footes Lane, they and the other shareholders,Athletics,Hockey etc.will in all likelyhood not want changes made.

[Guernsey local]

I can't see GFC sharing with any of the other clubs purely because if the amount of games that will be played on one pitch.

 

The only reason the track was in such good condition last year is because not many games were played and they have a tendency to call games off if there is a possibility of the pitch getting cut up.

 

That wouldn't happen if GFC played there.

 

The go-kart company would probably have some form of say in the matter too as more games = less time for them.

[bomaya]

Just as an out-there thought - what would the chances be of a brand new ground for GFC? How much land is free? What is getting planning permission like? Could the club/the sponsors afford it or could the council pay/get grants for it?

 

Answers in 5 minutes please!

[Smudge]

Land Free,is it anywhere?They are in a recession just like us,so Budget Cuts to all services have already been mooted.The only way would be by Private Sponsorship surely.Or maybe a Reality TV Show?

[bomaya]

Land Free,is it anywhere?

 

BY land free, I didn't mean the cost! Saw an interesting thing the other day that showed that in the UK, 95% of the land is still natural ie no concrete on it. We could fit billions of football pitches on it!

[Guernsey Guru]

Guernsey is only so big and land, even land zoned for none building, is mega expensive. In any case even if the money was to appear from somewhere this kind of project would at least take a couple of years to get through planning etc and it seems that GFC only have until March 13.

 

Guersney local - the only reason that the Track was in such good condition last year was because it is only used for football and therefore doesnt have to put up with the egg chasers or spear chuckers and is a much superior playing surface than Footes Lane

 

The go-kart company do not operate on Saturday afternoons in the football season anyway, I honestly believe that our best team should play at our best venue and that is the Track.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Land Free,is it anywhere?

 

BY land free, I didn't mean the cost! Saw an interesting thing the other day that showed that in the UK, 95% of the land is still natural ie no concrete on it. We could fit billions of football pitches on it!

 

You might be able to fit a few in up the Cotswolds, now that some of the resident millionaires are moving across to the Forest of Dean!

 

If it's good enough for Adele and Mel C....

[HKP]

Land is very expensive here, plus I cant think of anywhere that would be suitable. Especially also allowing for enough car parking too. Public transport is poor here, obviously no trains and the bus service is pretty crap. The great thing about Footes Lane is the amount of car parking in the immediate vincinty. The Track is a pain in the arse to get in and out of. The stand is like a fridge as gets no sunlight.

[NICE GUY]

Good thread, interesting posts !

 

Personally, I would like some official from Guernsey FC to come onto our forum and let us know what the current status is regarding this serious matter. I would be somewhat surprised if this subject had not been thought of in advance should GFC get promoted from Div 1......or was it tho' ?

 

Be interesting to know..........!

Edited July 9, 2012 by NICE GUY

[NICE GUY]

....just a thought, the GFC Directors could ask Sporting Bet to sponsor the surrounding fence........... !

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Steve Dewnship on Facebook, Nice Guy, so if you message him I'm sure he'll only be too happy to answer any questions.