Guest Posted October 15, 2002 Share Posted October 15, 2002 Sorry to be boring and bring up this old subject. But I think you'll all agree it's rather important, indeed crucial to the future of our club. Just some food for thought for all the NIMBY whingers and self centred old moaners: I came across a site detailing the history of Basildon Town Football Club and it told me that back in 1959 Basildon Development Corporation had plans to build a 21000 capacity stadium where the athletics track in Gloucester Park is today. If that had been built people would be living with a much bigger and more obtrusive neighbour than our non league club. I am a student of environmental studies and so know quite a bit about such matters, and a lot more than some of these misinformed people who have dug out every stupid and feeble arguement to object to fantastic, community orientated facilities being built. Gloucester Park has little value for wildlife. Playing fields have almost know aesthetic or environmental value, and we are going to retain the trees around the site. There are plenty of other green spaces around Basildon as well. What about the park on the other side of the road from Gloucester Park, towards Laindon? Or Laindon Church and its surrounding hills. Broaden your dog walking horizons my Basildon friends. Finally stop using Basildon United as an excuse. People in Basildon do not go out in large numbers to support them, and that is why they will probably never even be in a position to build a new stadium. If you don't like football yourself don't be selfish. Others do. Kids do. Give Basildon what almost every other large town has got, namely a decent stadium. Every arguement against the new stadium can be quashed by me. Good luck to the Blues against the Swifts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Its me again as promised I have been silent but, you started it. As a student of environmental studies you should be aware we are products of our environment and that shows with your arrogant comments. Firstly the plans are showing that the new stadium will be built in the middle of a major open space that is used by the local community for a legitimate purpose. I wonder what your attitude would be if you lived near it and your children used that facility. I have read the documents and they claim wide consultation, rubbish. Local residents have not been consulted, local users have not been consulted, even the local football league has not been consulted. You are to young and stupid to realise that this development will not benefit anyone but the hotel owners and developers, it certainly will not benefit BTFC. There is lots of other opportunities in the area as I have proved in previous messages in fact just left of the site is a piece of empty land equal in size and far more suitable for developing that will face few objections why not build it there. The truth is they have not carried out the research they claim to have. If as a student you put forward this as a planned piece for your course work you will see it failed by examiners as ill thought out, lacking in research and an unviable proposition based on at least 8 or 9 crutial factors including environmental damage, lack of consultation, duplication of service, increased traffic congestion, contradicting local authority plans, local opposition, removal of a utility, destroying parkland, unrealistic parking facilities and the list goes on. Rod Moore said he plans to fill this Stadium one day, he told the council that there would be no more than 400-500 fans attend a game. Why did he say on BTFC web site the opposite. I have been told the planning committe will say go away and come back in 5 years when it is a sensible well thought out plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Calm down, calm down Mr O'brien. You sound like my dad! Only joking, and no offence meant by any of this. I'm not arrogant, but I wonder how many young people in the area have actually been consulted about this proposed development. Gloucester Park is certainly an open space, but wouldn't it be better for the community to be filled with people enjoying football on Saturday afternoons instead of a few people walking dogs around and a few chip papers blowing around? Think of all the young people who would benefit from having such facilities on their doorstep. I realise that people who live near the park may have objections, but then again it's not that near any housing. We are not talking about building the new Wembley, but a non league stadium. I agree that the ground could be built on another bit of open space away from the park. But most of the park will be retained. I would love the ground to be built on my doorstep in Billericay but as you know the planning laws would never allow it. Some ludicrous arguements have suggested that Billericay people want to dump the ground in Bas. because they don't want it in Billericay. That's not true at all but we have to make the best of a bad job. In the environment we live in, any development has negative and positive effects and this must be weighed up and evaluated. The economy of Bas. would benefit from the new developments as well as putting the town on the map. Bas. has a largely negative image (having talked to people from outside Essex) so this will do much to dispel it. Traffic problems and pollution? I'm no expert. I bet the Festival Leisure Park (itself built on green fields) attracts thousands more cars etc than any new stadium. And I don't recall any protest. As for public transport, improved bus services would be of great benefit. The whole of Basildon was originally, as you know, built on virgin agricultural land. A short walk or drive leads to open countryside, if people want to seek it. As a planned town Basildon has more green space, ie wide tree lined verges, fields etc than any other big town in Essex, (I think) apart from Harlow perhaps. Billericay, you will recall, is in Basildon District and we share the same council. We deserve equal treatment. Almost everyone in Billericay uses Basildon facilities and the two towns will always be closely linked. Other big towns in Essex have football league/Ryman/Doc Martens league teams: Southend United (Div 3) Colchester United (Div 2) Harlow Town (Ryman) Chelmsford City (DM) Chelmsford have had a lot of trouble but it finally looks as though they will be getting a fantastic new stadium too. Basildon is missing out. If anyone can think of a better site for the new ground then I'd be happy to ditch the GPark idea. Lake Meadows is too small and has no access. But of course, the people who live in Bas. and occassionally walk the dog around G Park must have their way. Never mind those hundreds of others who would benefit from a new stadium. After all, Ghyllgrove and other "nearby" housing areas are so salubrious that it would be a travesty to spoil their tranquility. Or am I being young and stupid again? (: No offence meant to anyone, just food for thought. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaBTFC Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 And Billericay have had a major (?) Non League club since well before 1974 (that is when I started supporting). Okay, maybe not major but with the FA Vase wins (sorry to harp on about ancient history) and our Ryman Premier League status I'm sure that some would consider us to be "major". So why the hell can't we relocate within Billericay. Basildon have NEVER had a major Non League team and I believe this is just a "cheap" way of getting one!!! I take it Basildon offered the same to Southend when they had the idea to re - locate. Think how bloody stupid THAT would've been. Southend United playing in Basildon!!! Of course, as the Basildon footie paying public can't be arsed about their local team, I wonder how many would turn up to see the Blues if and when we re - locate? Consider the Billericay/Basildon split. It works both ways. Basildon has the same problem when Billericay is mentioned (yeah, racism at a local level - stupid or what - and I include the bigots of both towns in THAT comment!!!). I can guess that the answer is, no one. Okay, this looks like I'm pissed at the move and supporting a "stay at Billericay" movement. Yes, I would like us to stay but on the other hand, I would like the team to progress. All this "as a student of environmental studies" and "I am an ex counciller and I know best" (not forgetting the "Ooo, I couldn't turn up at the Supporters Meeting so I was lied to 'cos Rod Moore didn't tell me personally and lied" faction - joke, befoer ANYONE takes offence) isn't helping. I'm not into the politics of this and quite frankly am confused. Green Belt land, Basildon Council, Rod Moore, Stay In Billericay Movement, My Mum, Whoever has an opinion and all have come up with so called facts and quite frankly have confused the issue to such an extent that, I dunno if we are going or not. Bottom line. Who wants this club to progress? Who wants the facilities to entertain the top flight of our level of football and more? Come on, even the knocker of the move and development (and I know who you are, 'cos I have spoken to you) wouldn't be proud to see Billericay Town entertaining the best in our little corner of Essex? If the answer is YES, then can we stop buggering about, have a sensible, friendly, without any rumours, lies, whisperings or gossip (I know, I am talking about Billericay - tough one) about where we can relocate, going to relocate, will relocate to enhance the prospects of THE CLUB AND TEAM. I think with the good start to our season this time, we the supporters owe it to ourselves and the club. And if anyone is going to ask, that is laying down the gauntlet to us the supporters, Rod Moore and The Club. Thank you, goodnight, I've just been down to the pub and am pissed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 It doesn't show, that is one of the most sensible things anyone has said about this ground move. However I also hope it puts a stop to all this on here as this is an arguement that will no doubt drag on for some time and all we are doing is going around in circles and we all have to keep reading the same things week in week out. It's not getting anybody anywhere, this was never going to go straight thorugh in 5 minutes flat, so until there is any change can we leave it and stick to matters on the pitch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 I want BTFC to grow and develop, I want it to be succesful imagine the likes of Arsenal and Man U coming to Essex and getting thumped.(it's almost like a wet dream). But lets get it straight go look on a saturday see the kids (at least 200,playing football). I can still see it BTFC build up everyones hopes of a new stadium and growth, we invest our hopes and dreams only to find as has happened so many times before some developer wipes the dream away for a shoddy hotel. We must say no and stand up tell Rod Moore and his cronies this not acceptable to the people of Billericay or Basildon. BTFC have done a job already they have convinced you this is the only option it is not. You have been sold this picture of a man & dog in a windy field, last saturday it absolutly pissed down at 10.15 yet there were still 160+ kids on that field. I was there again in the dark last thursday, there were still over 50-60 people playing football including at least 2 Billericay based teams. Why were they not at Lake Meadows? Because this is an important local facility. As for those fed up reading these comments!! Yes this is a football forum where fans are exchanging opinion and this is about football. Our football clubs future, the posts are clearly marked if you do not like them do not read them. After all this time two years ahead you may not have a local team to talk about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon BTFC Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Since you are such a concerned supporter, I'm sure you will have taken the opportunity at one of the recent home games to express your concerns to one of the directors..... Or perhaps you were too busy supporting Canvey (again, thought it was a one off the last time)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 16, 2002 Share Posted October 16, 2002 Never mate! Every chance I get Canvey, Basildon Utd, Billericay, Leyton Orient, Romford, Hornchurch, Chelmsford, Spurs and after tonight maybe even Wales and whats wrong with that. I pays me money and takes me choice. I will watch two flies if they have got a football as long as its the right shape. Anything non league will do me if not youth football. I will watch 20 games a week if their on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GazzaBTFC Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 So why are you arsed about where Billericay play? If you don't like it, don't come. There are plenty of teams you mentioned that you watch, one less wouldn't really matter to you. By the way, having read back my rant, I would like to point out that I was not attacking anyone at the club inc. Rod Moore. Just confused as to what the hell is happening. Loads of people have come on this site and put up either arguements, rants or gossip about the move and quite frankly I'm confused (as I said in my article). Is it going ahead, has it met a hitch, is there another site, what the BLOODY hell is happening. Someone tell me and put all this in fighting to rest. It isn't good for the supporters as we should be supporting the club not ripping each other to shreads (ok, we all have an opinion but this is getting ridiculous), it isn't good for the club 'cos lets face it, who is gonna be left to support it when the in fighting has created such a division between the supporters most of us quite probably could be arsed with the football (which is why we turn up every Saturday and Tuesday - so I thought). Please someone put down in plain simple English what is happening. Thank you and goodnight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon BTFC Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 What is happening: The plans as currently displayed in the clubhouse have been modified slightly - the stadium will now be closer to the athletics track leaving the Murrayfield pavilion and land in front of it (currently a cricket pitch) as it is now. The final decision is likely to be delayed as a traffic survey is to be carried out (details http://www.thenon-leaguepaper.com/news/i...;start_from=45) As with any planning application people with concerns over the application on planning grounds should contact the planning department at Basildon council. Likewise people with concerns from the football clubs perspective should go and talk to John or Rod. Posting messages on a forum such as this, or writing to the Echo, is not best the way to get people to listen to your views. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BTFC Norway Posted October 17, 2002 Share Posted October 17, 2002 And with those last words from Simon, I'm closing this subject as a moderator on the forum. I think everyone can agree with me in my wish for us going back to discussing the team, the performance, the league, the cup, the players etc, and getting back to football matters. The plans for the new stadium has been known for over six months now, and I think most of us now have made their opinion about this very clear, regardless on witch side of the fence we're belonging too. I welcome news about the development, council reactions, the traffic survey etc., but I don't think we need more rants about how bad/good this is. Per-Helge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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