Friday's meeting

[Chris1]

Present: Messrs Rowlett, Trott, Ezekiel, Levy (developer), and a chap from the Sports Council. A fair sized audience, perhaps 60.

 

Some five-a-side pitches will be built, hopefully to be completed by August (phase 1). Not Astroturf; think of it as 'rubber grass'.

 

Phase 2 (the stadium) has yet to be approved.

 

The hotel didn't go ahead because no hotel operator was found.

 

No mention of the medical centre.

 

The motorcycle test centre didn't go ahead because of 'use of land' issues.

 

The developers are trying to find another commercial use to fund the stadium development. The chairman 'does not know' how this is progressing or what type of commercial use that might be.

 

The latest plans for the stadium should be approved by the council 'within 3-4 months'. No start date given; 'these things take time'. The commercial aspect will have to be sorted out before it goes ahead.

 

Mr Ezekiel is very supportive of the club and thinks the agreement for the 5-a-side pitches is an important step.

 

The opposition leader (in the audience) is also very supportive, and did a lot of work herself towards getting the earlier plans approved [is there an election coming up or something?]. However she thinks the latest stadium plans should go before a full meeting of the council.

 

The stadium if built will be of a suitable standard for all levels up to League 2. The pitch will be in its current alignment.

 

Regardless of development, the club intends to re-lay the pitch in the close season to avoid problems like we have had this winter.

 

Footballing matters are an entirely separate issue, and the chairman is confident that sufficient funds will be available for the team next season.

 

Mr Trott declined to be drawn on whether we will win the league.

[MFC Forever]

Thanks for the report Chris. Good to hear that Trotty is being kept aware of what is going on off the field.

 

So I guess with the stadium itself it is still a case of wait and see what happens, however it is good to know where we currently stand on it. Also good to know that the pitch will be re-layed in the summer.

[Tony_T]

Chris, apparently there are local elections soon?? I believe!! Best ask Frankie....

[Caveman]

Thanks for keeping us exiles informed of tonight's meeting Chris.

Well done.

 

 

[Boney Crisp]

Local elections are in May i believe. It's looking good at the moment and Ezekiel basically said that he would be surprised if it doesn't all go ahead. The 5-a-side pitches are going to be used as a big stepping stone for the club to get the new stadium up and running.

[bigtw]

I was told that the five-a-side would generate around £400,000 a year extra income. Quite a good sum of money too suppport the club.

[Cookie]

The highlight of the evening for me was the positive attitude voiced by our developer Gary Lever.He is on board for the duration thats for sure.Nice of him to turn up & give us a few words.Nice to hear from his own mouth that he realises & understands that he will have to wait to see a return on his investment.He will continue with his support for this club until (& who knows maybe even after),such times as we are all seeing a new stadium standing there in front of us.His loyalty cannot be questioned & his desire to see this through to the end was the most encouraging thing that came out of the meeting for me tonight.

He also said that he,as a businessman,is looking to help out other clubs in similar positions in a similar way,in the future.

 

[BlueGate Alan]

Thanks for updates lads, great to hear Lever still on board. Things can only get better as the saying goes!

[MargateFan]

I was completely impressed with Mr Lever.

[Chris1]

Originally Posted By: bigtw

I was told that the five-a-side would generate around £400,000 a year extra income. Quite a good sum of money too suppport the club.

£400,000??? That's more than £1000 per day after staff costs and other overheads. Pull the other one!

[Chris1]

Originally Posted By: MargateFan

I was completely impressed with Mr Lever.

Same here. Thought he was Mike Flanagan at first!

[michael]

I would also imagine that there are quite a few parties with a 'finger in the pie'.

 

The deveopers,

The council,

MFC

and others.

 

Still, even if it raise £200000 pa,split 4 ways and post corp. tax, would still bring MC £30k pa which they are not getting now.

 

I note from Chris' thread that KP-supposedly prominent in te ground development side- was apparently not there ?

[rayw]

Originally Posted By: Cookie

The highlight of the evening for me was the positive attitude voiced by our developer Gary Lever.He is on board for the duration thats for sure.Nice of him to turn up & give us a few words.Nice to hear from his own mouth that he realises & understands that he will have to wait to see a return on his investment.He will continue with his support for this club until (& who knows maybe even after),such times as we are all seeing a new stadium standing there in front of us.His loyalty cannot be questioned & his desire to see this through to the end was the most encouraging thing that came out of the meeting for me tonight.
He also said that he,as a businessman,is looking to help out other clubs in similar positions in a similar way,in the future.

Cookie given the record of some previous developers ( who were keen to help OUT local football clubs.
I remain a bit suspicious but as i wasnt at the meeting and you was. I hope your faith proves to be correct.
I still cant quite understand why the club cant at least do something about the Coffin end for next season.

[Chris1]

Actually I thought it was Mr Levy. Can somebody confirm? Best to get his name right as he is giving us all that money!

[ANGLE]

Here here Cookie,well said,lets look foward to good things,at last.

[Chris1]

Originally Posted By: michaelmichael

I note from Chris' thread that KP-supposedly prominent in te ground development side- was apparently not there ?

Mr Piper was there in the audience, trying to give us all lung cancer. Vicky was there too, strategically positioning some leaflets regarding 5-a-side tournaments.

[rayw]

Originally Posted By: Chris1

Actually I thought it was Mr Levy. Can somebody confirm? Best to get his name right as he is giving us all that money!

But how much and on what basis? Is he just a fan with money who wants to help or does he want something out of it?

[michael]

That is good to hear about KP.

(not the smoking bit )

[Wellsie]

KP's just taking advantage before smoking in public places is banned later in the year!

 

[bigtw]

Chris 1 I did'nt say profit I said generate extra income turnover whatever. 10 x £30hr thats £300 an hour if you look at these corporate leagues they have 3 games played per hr on 1 pitch cost per team is £22 these pitch will be open from 9am to 11pm thats 14hrs a day Now sit down and work it out its not such a pipe dream is it.

 

I've studied the goals set up and they do generate well in excess of £750,000 per annum with 10 picthes I'm sure before the directors and Mr levy embarked on this project they did the same.