Billericay Town FC should stay in the town!

[Guest]

I've just been reading the latest news from the Town's website and as a long standing supporter who used to live in the area and understands the local politics why are Billericay Town FC leaving the ground for Basildon.

 

The New Lodge is in Billericay, surely there is enough ground there to build a modern ground. The majority of our fans are in walking distance of the current ground.

 

Transport links to the new site are poor. Basildon is not even on the same railway line and some way from the station. I feel more comfortable in the streets of Tye Common and Billericay with the familiy after a midweek game than I would wandering around Basildon at chucking out time.

 

With the funds at our disposal why can't Old Blunts Wall Road be redeveloped at the top end, surely the farmer won't mind selling a bit of the field at the top end to make a car park, it doesn't have to look ugly.

 

Billericay Town does not belong in Basildon!

 

Does anybody else feel the same way or am I just holding on to the past?

 

I think the supporters should unite to ensure we do stay in the town, and not sell out.

[GazzaBTFC]

We have been down this route before time and time again and there have been arguements for and against.

 

Whilst most of the supporters do not wish to move they appear (repeat APPEAR - I do not wish to misrepresent anyone!!!) to have accepted this as a done deal. Those that are still turning up (and the crowds have been low for the pre season friendlies) and who do turn up are either supporting the move and the club or saying their farewells... So who knows what the supporters will do...

 

I must say I went drinking in Basildon a couple of weeks ago and did not find ANY trouble when the bars closed. This anti Basildon mood is bordering on discrimination of the people who live there (surprising to some in Billericay, they live there of their own choice) and is not an attitude I for one expected. Knock the council by all means but the people who live there.... Hey, Billericay ain't trouble free.

 

We have had a reasoned debate on this subject on this forum months ago so really, old news and views... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/Whatever_anim.gif" alt="" />

[Simon BTFC]

 

Hi Bob. As Gazza says this is old debate, but just to answer some of your questions re New Lodge:

 

The original plan was to develop New Lodge, however on consultation with planning people and the council the club was told that they would never be allowed to build the stadium they want there. It's not just about the lack of space: Even if the farmer (or the hospital for that matter) were willing to sell soem land we would probably be unable to build on it as it is greenbelt land. This would lead to us ending up with a similar problem to that suffered by chelmsford - their stadium plans have been called in by central government and they are spending ££££s on surveys etc with no guarantee of eventual success. Given that the capacity has to be at least 4000 we would have no end of difficulties with traffic surveys - can you imagine 1000+ cars trying to get down London road? Nobody wants to leave Billericay, but if we are to build a stadium that will enable us to progress, and bring in revenue to guarantee the clubs future, we have no choice.

 

 

[Guest]

I'm with you on this one Bob, but as you can see from Simon and Gazza's replies it doesnt seem like we have much choice. I wish and would like to think that,surely,there is SOME way the club can stay in the town - but having voted as club members to switch the club to a limited company and trust the major shareholders to guide us on to higher things, there is little we can do. Again, as the other guys suggest, some of us are reluctantly resigned to the move and getting on with life, others drifting dissappointedly away. I personally would be prepared to sacrifice progress up the league to stay put at new lodge, but we are told that is not an option, the probable alternative being the death of BTFC. Its a tough one, but at least the team have started like an express train ! <img src="/forums/images/icons/confused.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

I think the team has done very well at the mo and deserve the congratulations from some of the people who constantly come on this web site to knock 'em.

 

May I say on the Basildon subject, where as the deal is done, I would also like to stay put. Having supported the club since 1974 at New Lodge it is sad to finally say goodbye but as Neil said, @the price of progress". On top of all this, I will give the move a chance but if the character of the club is lost...well, who knows.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wavey.gif" alt="" />