DORKING FOOTBALL CLUB - THE FACTS

[Big J R]

MVDC Press Release Issued to the Dorking Advertiser at 6:00am two days ago. They didn't even see fit to inform DFC ! We learnt of it from the Advertiser !

___________________________

 

MOLE VALLEY ACTS TO PROTECT FOOTBALL IN DORKING

 

 

Mole Valley District Council, as landlord of the Dorking Football Club ground at Meadowbank, Dorking is taking legal action aimed at obtaining possession of the clubhouse and grounds. It is taking this action in order to protect this community asset, given the poor state of repair of the property.

 

For a number of years, the Council has tried to agree a meaningful way forward with the current tenant to ensure that the clubhouse and grounds are properly maintained. However, despite numerous approaches by the Council to the current tenant to carry out essential repairs, it has failed to respond positively. As the repairs and maintenance required by the tenancy have not been undertaken, the Council is asking the Court for an order that would enable it to remove the tenant.

 

Mole Valley’s Property Champion, Councillor Janette Purkiss comments “The current tenant has left us with no option. We are conscious that this action may affect the members of the club in the short-term; however, we must protect the residents’ assets and the club’s long term future. This action is necessary to seek possession of the property before it deteriorates any further.”

 

Vice-Chairman of the Council, Councillor Derrick Burt, a long-standing Councillor and Dorking resident adds “The Council is totally committed to a Football Club having use of the grounds and facilities at Meadowbank. This action does not mean that the football club (“The Chicks”) itself, disappears. Football will continue at Meadowbank.”

 

The Council will expect any future tenant to undertake the appropriate level of repair and to agree to a suitable on-going maintenance programme to ensure that the grounds and club facilities are up to the standard that the residents of Mole Valley deserve.

.

ENDS

_______________________________________________

 

DFC's FULL Press release, issued 13th. November

 

ANNOUNCEMENT - 13 NOVEMBER 2007

 

 

Dorking Football Club Limited were surprised and disappointed to see this morning, 13 November 2007, via the Dorking Advertiser, a copy of a press release from MVDC (“MVDC”) dated 12 November 2007 (issued after close of business) indicating that MVDC will be taking steps to remove the Dorking Football Club from its Meadowbank ground.

 

The Club has been in occupation of the Meadowbank site since the 1950s and is operated entirely by volunteers for the benefit of the local community. It is clear MVDC now wish to try to kill off a Club that has been in existence since the 1880s, the second oldest in Surrey. We question the motives of MVDC and feel it is now time for the local population to object in the strongest terms to the actions being taken in its name by MVDC and the mismanagement of this issue by MVDC.

 

MVDC have sprung the release on us with no notice and we have very little time to reply. A fuller response will be issued in the coming days.

 

However, based on the short amount of time available we would comment as follows:-

 

· The press release issued by MVDC not only contains a series of factual errors, but the Club is amazed that a public body can issue a press release without prior notice to its long-term, loyal tenant, MVDC seemingly seeking to obtain favourable press coverage in circumstances where no notice of this has been given to the Club. At the time of writing, we have still seen no formal papers from MVDC in relation to this matter. We question whether this is an appropriate way for a public body to act against a small, voluntarily run organisation.

 

· Dorking Football Club Limited is a protected tenant under the Landlord & Tenant Legislation and cannot be removed from the site without due process being done. It is entitled to a new long-term lease, part of which would contain staged repair provisions and we have repeatedly asked MVDC to constructively discuss this, but MVDC have shown no real intention or desire to discuss this with us. We can only assume that there is some pre-determined course of action which MVDC are now following.

 

· We strongly question how aware individual councillors are of the complete and accurate facts of this matter, something that we will be seeking to address over the coming weeks. The Club owes no material monies to MVDC for rent or otherwise and is solvent. The Club will also be seeking meetings with local councillors, our local MP and are strongly considering making a complaint to the local authority ombudsman as the Club sincerely believes that a grave injustice is being done.

 

· The Club was subjected by MVDC to a statutory health and safety inspection in the summer, to which the Club rigorously responded. MVDC accepted in the summer that the Club would first address the health and safety issue, before returning to the repair issue. The Club is confident that it has now satisfied MVDC in relation to health and safety matters and believes it must have one of the safest sports grounds at this level in Surrey. It has correspondence from MVDC in September 2007 to say that MVDC is “pleased” with the substantial works undertaken by the Club, which are estimated to have a value of around £10,000. The final health and safety inspection is due for Wednesday 14 November, so the Club is amazed at the timing of MVDC in issuing a press release, which the Club again stresses was issued without prior notice to the Club and which would seem to go back on the pre-agreed course of action.

 

· Councillor Derrick Burt shows a lack of understanding of football and the law in stating that “the Football Club (“The Chicks”) itself will not disappear”. Dorking Football Club is owned and managed by Dorking Football Club Limited. The Club and the name “The Chicks” is an asset of the football club company. It is not transferable at the whim of MVDC.

 

· Janette Purkiss is a new councillor and shows her lack of knowledge of the facts when she states that MVDC have made numerous approaches to the Club. This is simply incorrect - MVDC have not assisted the Club in any material way in its community work nor (in the opinion of the Club) held constructive discussions with the Club about the repair issue.

 

· We will be setting out our side of the story in more detail in the coming days, but we would make the following statements:-

 

1. Dorking Football Club Limited is operated by volunteers who are giving up their time and money in order to operate the Club for the benefit of the community. In addition to its first team, it is operating a successful under 18 boys football side at a high level and operates girls’ football teams. It has a strong affiliation with Brockham Badgers Football Club, which has over 350 children playing for it. Why are MVDC taking such punitive action against a community Club?

 

2. In the early 2000s, MVDC approved an application by Dorking Football Club Limited for a 25 year lease. A draft lease was issued by MVDC and commented on by the Club’s lawyers. It was close to finalisation. At the request of MVDC at the last minute, these negotiations were put on hold as part of the Thomfeld negotiations for the surrounding site. The Club co-operated fully with MVDC during this period at the request of MVDC. We were only informed by MVDC that these negotiations were at an end in 2006. During the period to 2006, there was a real possibility that the Club would have been wholly or partially re-developed as part of the Thomfeld plans. No sensible organisation would have at that time invested money into a repair programme and this was acknowledged by MVDC. In 2002, when the site was in a worse state of repair than currently is the case, MVDC were prepared to grant a long lease to the Club. Why now do MVDC seek to remove the Club?

 

3. Recently appointed Council officers are giving the Club no credit nor allowance for its community status nor for the period during which the Thomfeld negotiations took place, when the Club actively supported MVDC’s position. It is also ignoring the substantial work carried out by the Club in recent weeks. This is palpably unfair.

 

4. In Spring 2007, MVDC tried various bullying tactics to remove the Club from the site. It then changed tactics by trying to rely on health and safety legislation in the seeming hope that the Club would not meet the requirements. The Club has worked extensively to satisfy MVDC on the health and safety area, expending large sums of money and we believe that we have satisfied all statutory requirements. To now find in the context of the immediate history above, MVDC are issuing press releases, and possible court action (again we have seen no papers from MVDC here) without earlier notice to us, telling the public that they are to remove us from the site is extremely galling and unjust.

 

5. The Club strongly disputes that the site is in a serious state of dis-repair. It meets current FA ground grading repairment and there are far worse sites in the level of football at which Dorking Football Club is currently playing.

 

Dorking Football Club Limited will not be bullied into departing the site it has occupied for many decades. Dorking Football Club is a community asset run for the benefit of the community by hard working volunteers and we are extremely disappointed that our locally elected representatives are taking such draconian, unjustified steps against a voluntarily run organisation. The Club is strongly advised that it is a protected tenant under the Landlord & Tenant Act and cannot simply be removed from the site. It has been actively seeking a new long lease from MVDC for a number of years in order that it can tap into extensive grant funding that is available, but MVDC seem to be disinterested in this fact.

 

We ask MVDC and its councillors to reconsider this ill-thought out action to avoid needless expenditure on lawyers and professional fees on both sides, something the Club would prefer to avoid so it can invest in a repair programme as part of a new lease and in its youth football work. However, if MVDC insist on taking court action, the Club will defend itself through its professional advisers and in court.

 

A fuller response will be made in due course.

 

 

 

 

 

For and on behalf of Dorking Football Club Limited

13 November 2007

 

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MVDC's Supplementry statement on a 'Questions and Answers' theme:-

 

MOLE VALLEY ACTS TO PROTECT FOOTBALL IN DORKING

 

Questions and answers on Press Release of same title issued 12 November 2007

 

 

Q. When was the decision made to take action?

A. July 2007

 

Q. Why is this action being taken?

A. Because of the Club's failure over many years to carry out its obligations under its lease, in particular its failure to maintain and repair the buildings and fences to the required standard.

 

Q. What happens now / next?

A. On Friday 16th November, the Court will consider whether the Council should be permitted to apply to strike out DFC's 1991application for a new lease. If the Court does give permission, it is likely to give case management directions, for example, regarding the filing of evidence, the length of the hearing, and so on.

 

Q. Can the football club continue to be used whilst this is happening?

A. Yes, football can still be played at the grounds.

 

_____________________________________

 

The final statement is probably the most telling, and probably full of double meaning.

 

DFC solicitors have instructed a barrister and will be requesting an adjournment at Reigate Court tomorrow, (Friday 16th), at 12 noon.

 

Needless to say, DFC intend to fight this action to the end !

[Chris Clapham]

Some amazing comments there by MVDC.

Can't help thinking there is something else they are not mentioning though!

Good luck to all at DFC regarding this.

[Big J R]

Possibly the fact that MVDC 'sold' their council housing stock to Mole Valley Housing Association, who are commited to build a further 300+ houses over the next ten years ?

 

One wonders why they got a ground evaluation done earlier this year which is around, (allegedly), £8,500,000 !

 

Hmmmmmm !!!!!!!

 

Then theres another football team, based to the North of Dorking that have (allegedly) got their beady eyes on Meadowbank.

[DorkingDave]

Originally Posted By: Big J R

3. Recently appointed Council officers are giving the Club no credit nor allowance for its community status nor for the period during which the Thomfeld negotiations took place, when the Club actively supported MVDC’s position. It is also ignoring the substantial work carried out by the Club in recent weeks. This is palpably unfair.

That is good news, I didn't think the club was FA Charter Standard let alone community status, should be able to get thousands from the Football Foundation, Sports England, Lottery funding etc

[Park Boy]

The club say they are surprised that this action has been taken, but was it not in the local paper months ago that this was the action the Council were going to take?

 

One of the safest grounds at this level? come on the only ground that might be worse is RPV ground.

 

What people need to understand is the club is in a right state, this is not just a short space of time the club has been a shanty town for a long period of years and years, way before 2002.

 

They still have asbestos in part of the stands behind the dugouts, but still allow people to use that part of the ground. Great Health and Safety.

 

Worst changing rooms in any league.

Worst club house, even before vandals got in.

Grass growing in-between the terracing.

Pot holes in the car park.

Worst pitch for miles and miles.

 

All this and much more and a club wonders why the owners of the land wants to get them out and find new responsible tenets.

 

Current owners of Dorking FC are in dream land if they think the state of the ground is even half decent.

 

2 or 3 teams are run under the Dorking FC name, 1st team, Under 18yrs team and a girls team ( don't even get me started of what a waste of time having one of those are, tried it at my last club. )

350 odd kids playing for Brockham Badgers, this is great but they are not Dorking FC teams or players!

 

For an official of the club to make a comment that the Council may want to use the ground for something different apart from a Football Ground is just trying to frighten people in thinking there will be no football in Dorking at Meadow Bank.

Think this is called Smoke Screen and Mirrors!

 

Think I will pause for a breath and start a bit more later

 

 

 

 

 

[Chris Clapham]

....and I will pause to give you this

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7095134.stm

 

 

I must buy a bike!

[sadolleftback1]

At last Dorking football club can get rid of the current tennants who have done nothing but bring this once proud club to its lowest ever level. I live in the town and know many local people who think of DFC as a joke. Good luck to whoever become the new tennants, they can do no worse than the current ones.

[Big J R]

Originally Posted By: sadolleftback1

At last Dorking football club can get rid of the current tennants who have done nothing but bring this once proud club to its lowest ever level. I live in the town and know many local people who think of DFC as a joke. Good luck to whoever become the new tennants, they can do no worse than the current ones.

Sorry, but you are mis-informed, as many other posters on here seem to be:

The poeple concerned are the owners of Dorking FC.

If they go there will be NO Dorking FC !!!

It is not a case of moving them on and someone else taking over

Any new club reborn out of DFC would have to be 2 steps lower i.e, Step 7 and would not be able to use the name Dorking Football Club.

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

they are the owners of dorking fc Limited

 

It has had name changes over the years,

 

the name the chicks is not a business asset owned by anyone it is the towns club nickname.

 

The basic argument put forward by the council doesnt seem to be answered but should be an interesting day tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

[Park Boy]

Not true that a new club would need to start at step 7

Any one heard of AFC Wimbledon? Where did they start?

 

Also for next season any league can choose their own set up of teams in a league.

 

So if Dorking FC Continued this season and finish where they are then they would be in Div 1 for net season, same level as a new club would hopefully come in at.

 

They maybe the owners of Dorking FC Limited and the Football side of the club but not the ground its self.

 

Also if Dorking Wanderers get in then they would hopefully be at Step 6 due to promotion.

 

 

[Chris Clapham]

I would hope that, at the very least, MVDC will allow the season to run its course for DFC & BFC, particularly as they seem keen to mention the word "community" a lot.

With the CCL needing to reduce to 20 Premier clubs next season, I really hope they will do all they can to help and support both clubs.

They did help Raynes Park Vale FC when a similar situation arose at Grand Drive a few years ago!

Should the worst case scenario happen,I am sure there are plenty of clubs, (not only CCL ones), who would be willing to consider offering a ground share situation for 2008/9 and beyond. After all, that is what a league is all about isn't it?

[BMonkey]

As a long time supporter of the club it seems that the knock Dorking brigade have come out of the woodwork. Some names on here that have not been seen since last summer and still nothing new to add how sad.

Its a shame that the Wanderers have had a poster on here that has more or less admitted to negotiations with MVDC about taking Meadowbank on whilst at the same time contacting the club re a possible groundshare.

Very 2 faced. However I wonder if that was at their request or were they prompted by the well known local spokesperson quoted in the Ad.

As the club is owned by the Ltd. company i assume that any assets at the club are owned by them as well. They may not be much but there removal will surely add to the cost to anybody else that wants to take Meadowbank on. And if yhey think thay they will get F.A. grants for improvements they will have to get a minimum of 10 years unexpired lease.

Can't see MVDC doing this in the light of possible re-development plans whatever they say in the press. Who the he ll trusts the word of politicians anyway.

 

 

[Lightning McQueen]

Welcome back BMonkey, how are things at Bookham?

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

the ltd co are suggesting local people should protest to the council at the way it is being handled.

 

I havent got the ad yet and it is early days but have any local youth / community clubs such as Brockham Badgers said anything?

 

Their support would add weight to DFCLs argument they are a community club.

 

a couple of success stories, any positive posts on here or DFC website, anything like that would help improve their standing in the community.

It has just never happened.

Other clubs wishing the club well is totally understandable, but how many letters to the editor do we see praising the club (not signed by BJR), how many people in the town have a good word to say about the club.

 

can we have a referendum?

 

 

[Teflon]

Oh great !!! BMonkey.......are you going to tell me who the feck you are this time

[DWFC]

I have just been sent to this site from a friend who said i would be interested, i've read the comments, particulary the one highlighted above and i just thought i would register and clear up what our HIDDEN poster has said. by the way, i'm Marc White, the Chairman of Dorking Wanderers, no need for alias's!!

 

We did as a club approach Dorking in an attempt to open preliminary talks with regards to an official groundshare that would see the completely run-down site returned to its former glories with help from our local sponsors (25 of them) and kind private backers, the very fact we offered to talk groundshare proves that our intention was to make sure Dorking Fc could still operate, our club's off field success and support is down to core values regarding 'supplying football at all standards in the community'

To date Dorking have not responded to our request to open talks (this was some time ago)

Additionally we have enquired about the procedure regarding the lease at Dorking if it becomes available.

Myself as an individual and indeed large members of our club take no glory at Dorking Fc's demise, indeed to this day from time to time my players and i will pay money to watch the club and not boycott the ground like so many other people seemingly do.

We fully respect the history of the club and no doubt the hard work that has gone in over the years.

DWFC have currently got provisional internal plans in place that could see quite quickly major proposals placed to the council if Dorking Fc cannot rectify their issues, there are more than one plan we have discussed, plans include intergrating all current clubs that play there so the biggest objective of all 'football' does not suffer at any level.

 

We have just had a nomination for the Mole Valley Sports Clubs of the year award due to our contribution to local football and this year has been fantastic for us, attracting new support, crowds of over 80, as we continue to climb the pyramid i think we are entitled to be pro-active in our search of success, but it will never be at the detriment of other teams or clubs.

 

i think any negative Dorking Fc posters are simply frustrated.

 

Its unlikely i will post again, but if anyone would like to have a pop at least tell me who you are, or PM me, (is that the term!?)for a chat!

 

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

http://icsurreyonline.icnetwork.co.uk/02...-name_page.html

[sadolleftback1]

Well said Marc. I think you have made DWFC position very clear. I think the same cannot be said for DFC. They have consistantly alienated local business, local people,local players and just about everybody who has offered to help in any small way. Good luck with your clubs ambitions. I hope you get the opportunity to fulfil your ambitions. You are almost certainly the best football club in Dorking now.

[jayjay]

We did as a club approach Dorking in an attempt to open preliminary talks with regards to an official groundshare that would see the completely run-down site returned to its former glories with help from our local sponsors (25 of them) and kind private backers, the very fact we offered to talk groundshare proves that our intention was to make sure Dorking Fc could still operate[/quote

 

So what about bookham

[Jeff Hamnett TSF]

Highlighted on another thread were the seasons attendances.

 

Dorkings avergage is currently 71. Down about 20% on last year.

 

dwfc says Wandererers are getting over 80.

 

Sounds like the town is voting with its feet as Wanderers are outside the town and DFC is slap bang in middle.

 

Not sure if the Dorking Ad is being anti DFC but the pictures they have printed recently would bear out MVDCs position on the state of repair of the ground.

 

Good picture of Wanderers pitch looking neat and tidy after their 10-1 cup win.