Our system detected that your browser is blocking advertisements on our site. Please help support Fans Focus by disabling any kind of ad blocker while browsing this site. Thank you.
Jump to content

New stadium countdown...


Stu M

Recommended Posts

http://www.confguide.com/newsArticle.do?id=3048

 

Fleet anticipate stadium delay

 

It could be seven years before Gravesend and Northfleet move to a new stadium, chairman Brian Kilcullen has revealed.

 

Fleet this week announced the signing of a new lease on Stonebridge Bridge for a further 20 years, but insisted the extension did not affect plans to move to a new stadium.

 

Kilcullen told BBC Radio Kent: "The absolute earliest I'd imagine we'd be playing in the new stadium would be three years - but it could be five or seven."

 

"Hence, the need to ensure we can still use Stonebridge Road efficiently."

 

He added: "In terms of gates, we're giving tickets away to children now and that's starting to make a difference already.

 

"And of course, if we string results together, that's the main criteria that affects the gates."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It will be disappointing if does take seven years.

 

Brian has been quoted as saying "that in the meantime money will be invested in Stonebridge Road to bring it up to Football League status".

 

That could well be an absolute fortune, but I guess money well spent (obtained no doubt through grants etc) if the there is any chance of the Fleet successfully gaining a place in the Division 3.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The main stumbling block to having a stadium sooner,appears to be waiting 3 years for the cement manufacturing to close down,and the site to be cleared.Are there alternative sites? Ebbsfleet maybe,the advantage there is that it still comes under the umberella of Land Securities (as does the proposed site),but I suspect we are stuck with what has been offered.Dartford will be up and running with a modern stadium next year,and we will be spending tens of thousands of pounds,in trying to modenise an out of date stadium,which will be left to the bulldozers in 3=4-5 years.What a waste.I don't believe it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In many ways it is a shame we have to leave Stonebridge Road as we have the oldest stand in Kent. It has been our home for almost sixty years and before that of course Northfleet Untieds home for 41 years.

 

I shall imagine many of you think that because I've only been a fan for a year that to me it means nothing, well you'd be wrong. It will be a sad event when we have to leave Stonebridge Road, and our last game will be a sad one to say the very least.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It was very sad when through H&S/fire reasons they closed the back half of the stand. With close to 1000 in the stand there was a really great atmosphere (although the view at the back or the end of the wing stands was quite limited, don't think I ever saw it completely full with its capacity 1366? - but I used to be the steward covering the west end and on many occasions I witnessed 400 in my end and 400 in the east part.

Happy days.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why does everyone always look at the negatives regarding Stonebridge Road? The facilities may be dated but if the terracing gets sorted out behind the goal then there will be few grounds with better atmosphere then ours at this level.

 

The design and character of the ground, together with the sizable terraces for non-league football has always suggested to me that the original architects (whoever they were) always anticipated the Fleet would one day become a League Club. Personally, I think it would be a fitting tribute if Football League status was achieved while at Stonebridge Road.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Funnily enough, I have always thought the away support would increase if we had better facilites - ie, a modicum of cover for 100-200 fans at the Swanscombe end. How much does a bit of welding and corrugated iron actually cost. Just 30 yards or so behind the goal would do.

As it would be for the benefit of away supporters, couldn't some of the cost be met by a grant?

As Jim has said, get the final bit of terracing done, + a couple more fire/emergency exits and who knows, our capacity could be raised to over 5000.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't think the facilities have much effect on the numbers of away supporters C.G. they probably enjoy having something to feel superior about, although I did feel sorry for the Scarborough fans last year.

But if we had been four goals down rather than four goals up then there might have been an element of let the bastards catch their death going on. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" />

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pleased to see some nice posta about our ground. I have been in love with Stonebridge Rd for as long as I have been going (1968). It's a time warp ground. When its full the atmosphere is amaxing. Just a shame we always seem to loose on the big occasions. Its a big ground. Look at Canvey, even Dagenham..they really dont compare. OK so others do I Know.

Im happy to move when the time comes, be a sad day though. I am concerned about the new plans. I can see another, Ashford come Purfleet in my minds eye. Location is all important and I am a little concerned about the cement works. Much rather see it closer to the population nearer Gravesend. Still greater minds than mine are involved.

 

Good luck for Saturday boys. Need to make Stonebridge Rd a foirtress for the rest of the season. Lets continue with Morcambe.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Congratulations on your new lease and plans for a new stadium. I only just heard.

 

What's the financial deal with the stadium? Is Gravesend council footing the bill for you, or just helping out? And will it be definitely at the site of the LaFarge cement works?

 

With our Princes Park Dartord council are paying for it as a community facility, and DFC will pay rent and, I believe, run it too.

 

Well it may be a few years away but I'm sure it will be worth the wait.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm sure I'll be corrected by Dave Holden, but I understood that much of the money is being put up through John Prescotts office in the name of SEEDA (South East England Development Agency) which is a quango whose remit is basically to rejuvinate the Thames Gateway from The Swale to London, turning derelict brownfield sites into something that is both practical and useable by the community. In Chatham they are throwing money into it but the bucketful (it needs it!!).So hopefully a community football ground with side attractions sports club/gym/swimmimg pool/cinema/bars/restaurants will fit its criteria and will be funded in full.

BTW , great news about your new ground.

All you need is to get Tony Burman to build a team worthy of it and challenge for a higher league.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As Chatham Gary and Carjam have hinted,location is all important.

Having a Stadium tucked away from civilisation does not encourage Dad to bring the family-Mum/daughters/sons to shops/football.Ebbsfleet is ideal,with the all important PARKING,and would also encourage more away supporters to travel

Saying this,without seeing the planned layout of the proposed site,perhaps it will be better than I fear

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...