Back to square one

[Cookie]

I have just read the hand-outs from tonight and reading through it it says our ground will be built to conference standard (1.3)&(2.3) only, with the additional commitment to security of tenure extended should we attain div 3 (now div2) status. A 20 year lease then would be offered for such promotion.(3.3) But does that mean that we would have to up-grade the stadium again should that occur or is the 5000 seater stadium adequate for such a lift. Seems that we have gone all round the houses to get back to conference standard, which is where we were in the beginning.

Of course,in our situation, any standard of ground is welcome, but the whole idea of building a new stadium in the first place, surely, was to get up to football league standard. Seems we have gone a long way to get back to the way we were with the conference ground standard which we already had in the first place.

Though getting back at all would be the major goal dosen't this smack in the face the reason we knocked the ground down in the first place.

It also says that should we get to higher divisions than that we would have to re-locate as hartsdown park would not be a suitable location (3.3). Therefore we would have to go elsewhwere to play in that league.

As I see it we are pinned down to life in the conference but with the added semi-promise of going higher into the league (now div2) here at hartsdown(further 10 yr.lease) but also with the knowledge of knowing that even higher status than that would not be acceptable at hartsdown park.

Its a shame(if I am reading things correctly) that any future uplift in status beyond the lowest football league standard would mean us going elsewhere and building again from scratch.

Yes, the immediate goal is to get back to home at Hartsdown but isnt it a shame that maybe,just maybe by doing so, it will, at the same, prevent us from going into the higher realms of the football league,according to the councils stipulations.

Again, I , the same as everyone else just wants to get back home and you may say "one step at a time" but hasn't all this hard work and waiting been designed to do just that, get to a higher status.

Maybe I have it wrong in which case I am open to correction on this.

Its just an observation on my part thats all!!

[Guest]

Cookie, a move away from Hartsdown Park to some siyte at Garlinge or toward Manston may not be such a bad thing. Think about the high speed rail links that could be coming our way <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ghost.gif" alt="" />

[ooh!!bodyform]

best news we had in ages and u r still on a downer cookie lighten up and be positive

[Cookie]

I am pleased,of course I am but I am also a cautious person. Sorry John I am not ecstatic just yet. Maybe in 30 days. Maybe when the club deliver and please the council completely. As I said it was just an observation anyway.

[Guest]

Why are you trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill on what should be a day of celebration. I like most others who have listened intently to what has been said,talked to people involved and read the council Fuhrers mutterings Via your kind offices and those of our local rag are aware of the fact that if, nay when the Gaaaaaate move up the divisions they will have to look to move location. Enjoy moment <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ,ENJOY <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wow.gif" alt="" />,ENJOY. Come on the GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE ONwards and Upwards. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bow.gif" alt="" />

[Cookie]

Alright then I will [censored] well enjoy.Hooray Hooray we have made it,we are going back home. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/excited.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/top.gif" alt="" /> O.K. Are you all happy now. Just remember its a long way down from cloud nine.

[Hornet]

Have to agree with Cookie.I think I am more excited than elated at the moment but it does look positive.Although,as soon as I saw this 30 days b*llocks I regarded it as TDC's last gasp attempt to scupper things.Why 30 days?Bit unreasonable after all this time is'nt it.Why not more than this to give us a bit of breathing space to get plans etc..ready,does'nt make that much odds really,does it?Will uncork the champagne in 29 days time but for now DON'T TRUST TDC to really try to help us.Although it's defeat this time for Sandy.Up the Gate-onwards and upwards! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ufo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/sunny.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/orange.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

[ooh!!bodyform]

in effect they have passed the buck to mfc it is now down to the club to give the council what they need and i believe that they will do this!!

 

HERE'S HOPING

[Cookie]

I am sure the club will fulfil their obligations this time.I have to problems with that.Its the attitude of the council that worries me.They can say anything to make things look out of order. Only this time the plug WILL be pulled. Surely you must have doubts about the council, despite their words of support.The TDC are not, to my mind being very positive and therefore I can't be either. When they say a straight-forward "YES" then that will be the time I shout "YES".

I dont get fooled by remarks like "this has to be done first","this is the way things are done" etc.

They have a knack of getting round things, to their advantage. Maybe this time they are being genuine only 30 days will tell but with their past record can you not blame some people for not getting too excited.

[Guest]

For the wildly optimistic among you, here are the Football League stadium requirements (according to confguide.com).

 

Three levels of requirement are defined:

Qualification criteria: 4000 capacity with ability to reach 5000    

500 seats with ability to reach 1000

 

Admission criteria: 5000 capacity, 1000 seats with

ability to reach 2000

 

Membership criteria: 5000 capacity, 2000 seats

 

The Qualification Criteria present the level required for promotion. Any club that believes it will be in a position to qualify for promotion from the Conference must submit, by 1st March in that season, evidence that it can comply with the Qualification Criteria.

 

The Admission Criteria is a level that must be achieved by 1st May of the club's first season in the Football League. Any club not meeting the required level by 1st March will need to demonstrate to the League's satisfaction that it can comply by 30th April. Failure in this instance would lead to loss of all points and therefore automatic relegation back to the Conference.

 

The Membership Criteria is the full requirement to remain in the league. A newly-promoted Conference side has until 31st May at the end of their 3rd season in the League to achieve this requirement.

[Hornet]

A straightforward YES would have been nice but they just can't seem to be seen as helpful.They like the club to be under pressure.What happens if we miss the deadline by three minutes-is that it.Let the club deliver-which I'm sure they will and give TDC no more excuses to nit-pick.Leaving for footy at ten to three instead of one o' clock is a luxury I've long since forgotten,coupled with the team zooming up the league.Happy days are nearly here again.Got me lucky charms out but might have to put them away as it's a bit brass monkeys out today(plus complaints from the public) <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/police.gif" alt="" />

[Hornet]

I take it that our stadium providing it has 500 seats will be enough to get us into League Two then. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" />

[Hornet]

Sorry,I've read it properly now-think I understand -2000 seats to actually participate in the league.Quite nice to even be talking about this type of subject though.

[Guest]

A club would be able to start playing in the league with a 4,000 capacity and 500 seats, but would soon have to do work on their ground. In any case, we can't beat Walton and bloody Hersham so all that stuff won't be concerning us for a while yet!

[David Holden]

Quote:

But does that mean that we would have to up-grade the stadium again should that occur or is the 5000 seater stadium adequate for such a lift.

 

Am I misreading this? Are you not planning a 5,000 all seater?

[hartgeman]

i thought that the orignaly planed a 6,000 seater stadium but nethertheless i am very happy let just hope every thing goes to plan.

[hartgeman]

his was the original perposal that was passed by TDC

Description: DEMOLITION OF EXISTING STADIUM AND REDEVELOPMENT OF SITE WITH NEW 6000 SEATER STADIUM, ADDITIONAL ARTIFICIAL PITCH, ASSOCIATED ACCOMMODATION AND CAR PARKING

 

Address: MARGATE FOOTBALL CLUB LTD HARTSDOWN ROAD MARGATE CT95QZ

Council reference: R/TH/03/0122

Online Reference: Not Available

Date opened: 14/Mar/2003

Status: decided

 

AVALIBLE AT: http://www.ukplanning.com/ukp/showCaseFi...FTH%2F03%2F0122

[Guest]

A capacity of 10,000 (do not know what the split is between seating and standing)is the minimum requirement for obtaining Championship (was Div 1) status.

[Cookie]

I am sorry. In my original post I mentioned a 5000 seater stadium. I must correct this.

 

 

Gary Lever has said that the scheme is likely to include the following element.

 

A) Football stadium to Full Conference Premier standard (5000 capacity with 1000 seats).

Para 2.3hand-out last night.This covers MFCs current grade and one promotion.

 

As you can see the up-dated information states 5000 Capacity with 1000 Seated. Apologies!

[hartgeman]

how come the original plan was for 6000 seater and now it for 1000 seats with a capacity for 5000. sorry but a bit confused do you know how many seater the new stadium would be?