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THE GROUND

ANGLE

By ANGLE
in Margate Forum

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ANGLE Newbie

ANGLE

Posted
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Yes boring i know,but its about time we had some info even if its no news,or negotiations are ongoing,or what are the current problems,we pay to support our club,the club we all love,most folk that i know say this development will never happen in any shape or form,and to be honest who can blame them,the fact that we are kept so much in the dark regarding re the whole issue is bad for morale and could even have an overall effect on attendance figures.

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teamster Newbie

teamster

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the fact is with the ground the way it is no way would we get into the Conference proper. We may get into Conference South but I bet there would some upgrades needed. the other criteria is if the team cannot get promoted what chance have we of keeping decent players here.

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BlueGate Alan Newbie

BlueGate Alan

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Didn't our Chairman say at the meeting if anyone wants to approach him re the ground he is always willing to chat to them? Has anyone actually done this recently? Just a thought.

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Number6 Newbie

Number6

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The sooner something does happen about the ground the better. The lack of information is a concern. People are not going to go to games in large numbers when the ground is basically just one end with temporary seating along one side. Thanet has to be about the most populated area in the UK without a league team.

Having a suitable ground is very important.

 

The ground was actually better before we went to Dover and Ashford.If at that time the club had gradually improved the ground we might be in the FL by now.

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seasidesteve Newbie

seasidesteve

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this all has an affect on gates the more info people get on the club and what is going on the more interest there is.we should not have to ask we should be told.to be honest i dont believe it will ever happen.im sure we will get a better ground of sorts but not the way we have been led to believe i dont think the money is there or ever has been otherwise something would be happening by now

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Number6 Newbie

Number6

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All the delays have not exactly helped the image of the club locally. Some of the schemes have been real pie in the sky. The club needs to be more realistic and ambitious (and the 2 can go hand in hand)

Projects to build hotels and casinos etc are best left to other people. The club needs to focus on 2 things a decent team and a decent ground for them to play in. Things have picked up this season on the playing front,now it would be really good if the club could announce a realistic proposal for ground improvements.

These days clubs are really helped by the FA grants etc and i think if a realistic proposal went forward other people may also help.

Better facilties will help to increase the clubs revenue.

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Pagey Newbie

Pagey

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Just some food for thought

 

Any Sport grant is only a % of the overall cost, so it means the money has to come from somewhere

 

No one will just build us a ground so there has to be an overall package, we get a ground etc and they get a hotel etc. They will make their money on the hotel and anything else put on the site

 

I have no idea how things are going, but as Malcolm said if you want to know ask him.

 

Also look at the quality of the Board, all business people , all covering a range of skills.

 

I hope that all goes well, but it seems if it is something we aren't keen on, it gets built and we suffer. if it something that is self funding and we like... well its just tough

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Number6 Newbie

Number6

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Originally Posted By: The Pagester
Just some food for thought

Any Sport grant is only a % of the overall cost, so it means the money has to come from somewhere

No one will just build us a ground so there has to be an overall package, we get a ground etc and they get a hotel etc. They will make their money on the hotel and anything else put on the site

I have no idea how things are going, but as Malcolm said if you want to know ask him.

Also look at the quality of the Board, all business people , all covering a range of skills.

I hope that all goes well, but it seems if it is something we aren't keen on, it gets built and we suffer. if it something that is self funding and we like... well its just tough


The hotel idea was always likely to be a non starter. Its a real red herring to suggest that ground improvements can only happen if there is commercial development as well. Years ago the club could have replaced the old main stand with a modern 1,000 seater it would have proved a lot less costly than the groundshares and relegations.
The club could have got 50% of the money from grants and 50% on a mortgage on future earnings.
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Pagey Newbie

Pagey

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The mortgage is a great idea, but you have to keep to a business plan and make enough money to make the repayments.

 

its obvious that the big spenders , including the gate, are being funded by the board. This is never liked by any financial institution.

 

AFC Wimbledone have done incrediably well, this has been done how you have suggested, but the clubs support is very large.

 

The original funding that they had was only re-financed last year, which were under much favourable terms, the original loan was heavily over base rate to reflect the risk

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Number6 Newbie

Number6

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Originally Posted By: The Pagester
i disagree number 6. The club didn't have the money to replace the old stand, it need investment. Which wont come from anywhere other than having someone build something they want and giving us a ground as well





The club could and should have got a mortgage. How much money do you think the club lost when they played at Dover and Ashford?
And how much goodwill do you think they lost locally?
If you think the only way the club can have decent facilities is by building some commercial development to go with it,i think your 100% wrong.
Hartsdown Park is not a great area to be building a conference centre or a hotel. But it is a great area to build a much much better football stadium.
The club needs a realistic business plan to grow its core business. The potential is there due to the size of the local population and the distance from the nearest league club.
Its what marketing people call the USP (Unique selling position).
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Pagey Newbie

Pagey

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I don't believe a bank would lend money secured on the future income of the club

 

I agree by ground sharing that the club lost money and goodwill, but the club didn't aim to ground share for a long period, didn't the developers or investors go bust? and that led to the club not having a home

 

 

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