What a week!

[AFF]

I'm ill for a couple of days, well 6 weeks actually, but off the site for a short while, and look what happens. Here's another fine mess etc. I can't turn my back for a moment.

 

Firstly, the search for a new ground. It is absolutely right for The Chairman and the Board to be investigating opportunities for relocation. If a site were to be identified tomorrow, it could take 3-5 years to complete the construction of a new stadium. It may not be top of the list of priorities to move now but we can't simply wait until it is essential. That would be far too late and could cost us a promotion.

 

The suggestion that The Park is capable of expansion to the degree required is wishful thinking. And that's being kind to those that indulge in wishful thinking.

 

It's no good just building a 6000 seat stadium and assuming that the crowd on match days will support the running costs, let alone the construction of the thing. For a new ground to be viable, it has to have a level of enabling development to fund the acquisition and construction and then commercial facilities to sustain The Club year on year.

 

I may not agree with The Great Gibbo's chosen method of communication, in fact, I don't, but I would far rather have the Chairman of a £50 million construction company, a Quantity Surveyor by profession, investigating the options, than certain individuals who have been associated with The Club in the not too distant past. And remember. It's options that are being considered. Clearly no decisions have been made.

 

Secondly, Robbo. In my view, the team have been playing poor football for the last 8 weeks or more, Stockport and Sutton excepted. There will be many reasons, one of which might be the quality of 'man-management', or motivation, another might be the nature and quality of the coaching. These changes might be addressing those issues. As with many things we will never know the whole picture and I am sure that there is a lot more to this than the press release states.

 

In any event, Gibbo is The Chairman and his company owns The Club. It's up to him. He has made a major change when we are 3rd in the League. I have been concerned over the past few weeks that if some changes were not implemented soon, it would be too late for this season making changes when we have slipped to 8th or 10th. I didn't have this particular change in mind, however. I've been blaming that chap who collects the balls that go out of the ground.

 

I believe that we have the players to win this League this season and one thing is for sure, we have to get bottoms on seats and behind t'Lads on Saturday.

 

P.S. Memo to Cookie. a). 4 at the back, never 3. . If the player/coach isn't up to playing, get him off the pitch. c). Good luck Saturday.

 

 

 

 

[mdetaylor]

3-5 years to construct a new ground? Maybe if the builders are only working weekends. Construction time to PC on St Mary's and the Walker's Bowl less than 2 years and they are considerably larger than anything we could hope to build. Associated housing, leisure and infrastructure work may extend build time but not by much.

 

Anyway I agree that they should be looking for new sites as the Park is not right for development. I question some of the suggested sites, Napsbury Lane in particular, which is part green belt and part national forest and has previously had housing and leisure applications turned down.

 

Also agree that Gibson is one of the best people to have overseeing such a project, however from recent events you can see why people may question his motives (although there is no profit in leaving the Park as it is leased and presumably if we upped sticks and left there would be a cost to surrender the lease).

[AFF]

Hi md.

 

I suspect that construction may well be 12/15 months for the stadium itself. The 3-5 year period that I suggested was to cover the very significant timetable that should be allowed for negotiations in respect [Town & Country] Planning, initially with the District Council, and then, almost certainly, with the DoE or whatever it's called now.

 

As far as 'recent events' are concerned, if you are referring to the err.. err.. parting of the ways with Gary Roberts, I'm not sure how that calls into question the 'motives' of The Great Gibbo relative to a possible relocation. I'm not sure that alleged criticism of EFM has any bearing on his motives either.

 

I suspect that the debt to Verry's was the thick end of £100,000 at the end of last season and I guess that we have been trading at a loss of £1500 per week for a good number of the last few. If F.A. Cup receipts have been used to reduce those debts by £40/50,000, then I for one, have no problem with that.

 

What is this 'motive, issue?

[mdetaylor]

It indeed would almost certainly be called in unless they do pick a brown field site (however the favourites all seem to be green field). Unless they choose to have a fire station as well when of course all planning concerns, view of residents etc would be igniored. Housing (particularly key worker/entry level/low cost) would speed up the process - not sure that a hotel/leisure park/super market/airport would though.

 

I have had information (of a relatively firm nature) that suggests all is not well, particularly in relation to Roberts/Cook/Castle and some associated matters. To post details would however be inappropriate whilst the information is unsubstantiated. I am happy to discuss via pm or on Saturday however.

[GHA EFM]

Any chance of a PM, mdet?

[AFF]

Hi md.

 

Your "relatively firm" information. You say "...all is not well...". I hope that you meant "...all WAS not well....".

 

Anyway. Was Cherie Blair/ Peter Foster/ Carole the Wacko/ Liz Hurley/ the chap that collects the balls that go out of The Park involved perchance?

[mdetaylor]

Hi AFF

 

Was, but possibly is, we await developments with baited rods.

 

There may have been a touch of the Fosters about it. Maybe the club should employ a lifestyle guru?

 

Do you think that the nice Mr B(i/y)ng may be willing to donate £100,000 to an unamed Ryman League club as Ms Hurley doesn't want his (hush) money.