Alton Town FC Looking At Extinction. Please Help.

[Big J R]

Industrial language IS heard at grounds, but most responsible clubs are trying to get more and more young supporters into their grounds.

 

Is it fair that 9 and 10 year olds hear 'responsible' adults verbally abusing players and officials with offensive and crude shouting ?

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Of course it isn't right, John, and I applaud clubs who work hard to eradicate the problem.

 

If a football club struggles to get young fans through the gate, especially at non league level, then that club could be in serious trouble in the future - today's young fans are tomorrow's supporters.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

The Chubby one will be ever so delighted to hear that a game between the Football Finder lads and Alton Town is 'very much on the cards' according to their Chairman,

 

Phil Babb might be attending, but one ex player who will be and who has voiced support for Alton Town is Arsenal and Leeds United legend Chris Whyte.

[Chubby Brown]

The big 'A' list names really are now coming out, I've heard it all now!!

 

Good luck to Alton Town although I do hear that it isn't looking too promising at the moment.

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

The Chubby one will be ever so delighted to hear that a game between the Football Finder lads and Alton Town is 'very much on the cards' according to their Chairman,

 

Phil Babb might be attending, but one ex player who will be and who has voiced support for Alton Town is Arsenal and Leeds United legend Chris Whyte.

 

perhaps you could open up a bit about your connection with football finder fc, maybe a few ccl clubs could benefit?

[Fuzzy Royal]

Signed, I watched my team Windsor & Eton fail, some people don't realise how much these non professional clubs really mean to people. Good luck and I hope you get the right result

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

they failed? who are dorking playing saturday?

[inbetweener]

Have heard alton have reached there petition amount but really fear for them as there is very little chance of them finding a area to build a new ground in alton. The area most suited was previously rejected by locals and the council. the only option they may have is to develope the anstey park stadium (currently used by alton united fc) but even that would need floodlights ,new stand and a complete clean/ refurbish. or there is a groundshare but am not sure what the rules are on groundsharing

 

really hope the council help them and keep them alive as there a smashing club that serve the local area well on and off the pitch

[Big J R]

they failed? who are dorking playing saturday?

 

Interesting question, Jeff !!

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

perhaps you could open up a bit about your connection with football finder fc, maybe a few ccl clubs could benefit?

 

I'm friends with their chairman, TSF. He lives in Aylburton (about 30 mins away, almost on the Welsh border).

 

He knows that I use this site, so I guess I'm a kind of unpaid 'go-fer' for them in that I help advertise them.

 

I've also done some unofficial scouting for them, and helped to get their latest new signing Mircea Ivanov into their network. The lad was formerly at Galatasaray and is going on a academy deal with Tonbridge Angels.

 

You never know, they might already be helping a CCL side out.

 

Chubby, I knew you'd be impressed If i'm down in Alton for it, I'll introduce myself - may even get you a pint or two if you're a good boy.

 

The most important thing is that Alton Town does not go the same way as countless other sides before them. This is where the FA (in my opinion) needs to do more to protect the grass roots.

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

anyone know why Alton Town moved there in the first place, and if their old ground can still be used?

[inbetweener]

there old ground currently has no lights and is not at the same level as there current ground, the stands would need developing and the whole place would need a tidy and prob a relayed pitch, i beleive alton moved to there current bass site as they merged with bass football club

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

I would guess lights can be moved, some stands can be moved,.

 

Sad to see a club in trouble but if they had a ground 30 years back, merged and moved perhaps some wrong decisions have been made.

 

Im not criticising anyone down there, I know no-one or what has gone on, but it always seems to be the bad old landlord who gets the blame.

I question because Id like to learn something from it, and think other clubs might learn something too.

[inbetweener]

to be fair from what i know and have heard coors had found alton town fc a site in alton on which to place a new ground , but between the dog walkers and council they rejected the application and now seems coors have had enough and want to sell there land

[Beano]

This is where the FA (in my opinion) needs to do more to protect the grass roots.

 

I'd be interested to know what you think The FA should do in cases like this, Adam. After all, it's not as if they have the resources or the legal authority to buy every privately owned football ground in the country.

 

What The FA and Sport England will do, through and alongside the local County FA, is object to the sale of the ground, particularly if there is a loss of sporting amenity (ie, if no new ground is being provided as part of the sale).

 

I can only speak as I find, but I can say that Ashford Town (Middlesex) would not have got their grant from Sport England had it not been for the Middlesex FA making me aware of the funding window. The FA are consulted on applications for Sport England funding and supported Ashford's, so I would say that, in our part of the world, proper support is being given to grassroots clubs.

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Certainly a tricky one, Beano, and I get the point you make.

 

Looks like all we can hope for is that Molsom Coors have a change of heart. If enough people back the campaign to keep Alton Town where they are, maybe they will 'see the light'.

 

Maybe a few letters in the direction of Molsom Coors asking them not to boot Alton Town out might work?

[inbetweener]

is there a certain point that where coors have to change there minds ie if alton town fc get enough signatures on petition or enough support ? or is it completely upto coors regardless?

[The Mayor Of Simpleton]

Coors don't have to change their mind, but if the weight of public opposition to them booting Alton Town out is sufficient then they may need to re-assess their plans.

 

If the local MP adds his/her support, it adds clout to the argument for them to stay put.

[John O'Brien]

Don't know if its already been put on here , But please sign the petition to save Alton Town FC

 

 

sign the petition here https://www.change.org/petitions/save-alton-town-fc

 

 

 

Landlords Molson Coors have given Alton Town Football Club notice to vacate the Coors Sports Ground – the club’s home for almost 30 years – at the end of the season.

Football has been played on the Anstey Road Sports Ground since 1928, having been the home to the Courage and Bass brewery teams, and Alton Town FC is maintaining that tradition. With a proud FA Cup history, ATFC is playing in the Sydenhams League (Wessex) Premier Division and would need to move to a ground with at least comparable if not better facilities than the Coors site.

We are disappointed that Molson Coors have decided on this without making provision for Alton Town Football Club to be relocated. Yes, they have made attempts to achieve this in the past but failed to get planning permission or failed to get Alton Town Council to release land at Diggers (Anstey Park) with a view to gaining planning permission to accommodate a new stadium for us.

Surely they (Coors) could have reopened talks with both the Town Council and East Hants District Council in an attempt to find a solution that would not have the distinct possibility of ATFC going out of existence.

Alton Town FC is, like many local organisations, a part of the community. Is all this to be lost in haste?

More information at www.altontownfc.com/saveus

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/AltonTownFC

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AltonTownFC

[Big J R]

http://www.nonleague.co.uk/topic/175182-alton-town-fc-being-evicted-from-ground/?do=findComment&comment=1877779

 

And it's a bit 'close to home' !