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Post by Daedalus on Jan 17, 2013 6:16:43 GMT
Taken from the Trust website: Proposed New GroundOn Wednesday evening, Lawrence Levy made a presentation to councillors of St Albans District council and local business groups about a proposed new ground for St Albans City Football Club. The proposed location is to the east of Colney Heath Lane adjacent to the Albans Way and south of Alban Park. The meeting was generally supportive of the proposal. A fans forum will be held to look at this proposal and to ask the many questions supporters will have in the next few weeks. Lawrence Levy is away on business for 2 weeks but has committed to ensuring all supporters’ views are heard. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2013 7:09:35 GMT
+1. the sooner the better
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Post by Canary Saint on Jan 17, 2013 7:22:22 GMT
-1 Questions: Who owns the land at present? How will extra revenue be generated and who will it go to? When will this happen? What will be the capacity of the new ground? Who will pay for the development? I suppose if this is the only way the club can survive it has to happen. Can't say it exactly fills me with joy though.  |
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Post by minty on Jan 17, 2013 9:46:31 GMT
-1 Questions: Who owns the land at present? How will extra revenue be generated and who will it go to? When will this happen? What will be the capacity of the new ground? Who will pay for the development? I suppose if this is the only way the club can survive it has to happen. Can't say it exactly fills me with joy though. Good questions Canary Saint!! Better get yourself down to the fans forum!! |
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oldgeezer
Saints Youth Team Player
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Post by oldgeezer on Jan 17, 2013 11:39:55 GMT
Like most people, I dont relish change, much history will be left behind, the saints have been in Clarence park for so many years. However...
"I suppose if this is the only way the club can survive it has to happen. Can't say it exactly fills me with joy though."
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euclid
Saints Reserve Team Player
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Post by euclid on Jan 17, 2013 12:56:21 GMT
Sadly it's become inevitable that a new ground looks now to be the only option, if the Club is to have a long term future at our current level or higher.
There are many questions that need asking and answering (good start from Canary Saint!). A few I would like to add;
Has every possible avenue of re-developing Clarence Park been explored?
Will the ground be owned by the Club, the current Club owners, the Council or a property company?
Will the ground be built to Conference or Southern League ground grading requirements?
Due to the proposed location being nearly 3 miles out of town, will there be adequate car parking facilties and will there be a provision for extra public transport from the City centre to the new ground?
Will be a sad day in the history of the Club IMO, but if it is the only option it has to be?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2013 13:10:53 GMT
From the Clubs website :- www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/latest-club-news/2108-the-city-of-st-albans-stadium.html"The City of St Albans Stadium St Michael’s Manor was the venue on Wednesday evening for a presentation by the Club to Councillors of St Albans City & District Council and local business leaders about a new stadium for St Albans City Football Club. The development would create a 5000 capacity ground, with banqueting and conferencing facilities and a full size 3G training pitch, incorporating green technologies. The proposed location is to the North of Colney Heath Lane adjacent to the Alban Way and south of Alban Park. The meeting was generally supportive of the proposal and feedback was positive. A fans forum will be held in due course to provide more information about the project and to answer questions. Lawrence Levy is away working with the Football Gambia charity for two weeks but has committed along with John McGowan, to ensuring that all supporters’ views are heard." |
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Post by Boomer on Jan 17, 2013 13:50:41 GMT
From the Clubs website :- www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/latest-club-news/2108-the-city-of-st-albans-stadium.html"The City of St Albans Stadium St Michael’s Manor was the venue on Wednesday evening for a presentation by the Club to Councillors of St Albans City & District Council and local business leaders about a new stadium for St Albans City Football Club. The development would create a 5000 capacity ground, with banqueting and conferencing facilities and a full size 3G training pitch, incorporating green technologies. The proposed location is to the North of Colney Heath Lane adjacent to the Alban Way and south of Alban Park. The meeting was generally supportive of the proposal and feedback was positive. A fans forum will be held in due course to provide more information about the project and to answer questions. Lawrence Levy is away working with the Football Gambia charity for two weeks but has committed along with John McGowan, to ensuring that all supporters’ views are heard." Try this link - www.sacfc.co.uk/index.php/news/latest-club-news/2109-the-city-of-st-albans-stadium.html |
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Post by EFMTFTV on Jan 17, 2013 14:04:46 GMT
Looking at a map, the green area between the Alban Way and Colney Heath Lane seems to be where they are looking at maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Alban+Park,+Saint+Albans&hl=en&ll=51.749498,-0.283542&spn=0.009817,0.019205&sll=51.747605,-0.283434&sspn=0.004909,0.009602&oq=alban+&hq=Alban+Park,&hnear=St+Albans,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=16 |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2013 14:28:06 GMT
So a stones throw up the road then?
equidistant from the Rats as CP is
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Post by Boomer on Jan 17, 2013 14:28:27 GMT
If it is only the green area, that would equate to around 15 acres, judging by the scale shown. An average soccer pitch is anything from 1.5 - 2 acres.
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barker
Saints Youth Team Player
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Post by barker on Jan 17, 2013 17:22:21 GMT
Despite my sentimental attachment to Clarence Park I think the economics of football are such that this is probably the only way forward. As others say, it is not that far down Hatfield Road. It does also indicate that the current owners do have a realistic and long term vision for the club. The only point I would add (to those above), and this assumes an optimistic future, can a ground in this location be designed/ built in such a way that the capacity can be increased from 5,000 to 7,000 or 10,000 - should we move up the leagues, no matter how long it takes (for a long term future)?
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centurian
Saints Youth Team Player
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Post by centurian on Jan 17, 2013 17:35:56 GMT
seems more like a dream than reality,still if thats the only way the club can survive in the future so be it. my main worry is who pays for it, a 5,000 capacity ground would not be cheap and then there would be the houses near the development who would moan about increased traffic and noise, don't see it happening.
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Post by davidlewis on Jan 17, 2013 18:35:20 GMT
Well, I wonder what has changed since the last presentation to the council. I'm sure the emphasis then was on extending the lease at Clarence Park, and redeveloping the ground. I wonder if there is any truth in the rumours that were circulating at last Saturday's game - that there is an investor waiting in the wings who the fans won't be happy with. Maybe a condition of said investement is a ground move? Hmmmh..... the proposed site is sure near Oaklands. I have a hunch that our ex-owner might be rearing his head soon ..... maybe?
Whatever the current owners say it is not an either/or issue i.e. Move ground or the club folds.
Dave
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pirate
Saints Reserve Team Player
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Post by pirate on Jan 17, 2013 19:46:27 GMT
what is the Trust view on this, given that they have attended the board meetings where this has been discussed?
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Post by EFMTFTV on Jan 17, 2013 21:11:08 GMT
I must admit when I heard about a potential investor who wouldn't be very popular I did think Gibson or somelike like Harding, nobody else could ever be that unpopular, if someone from Borehamwood or Stevenage was to jump on board I don't think we'd be that bothered
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Post by marmalade on Jan 17, 2013 21:37:28 GMT
I'm on the trust board but answering for myself (not for the trust), although we are meeting in the next day or so to discuss this development.
I hope that the trust will be able to play a role in finding out more about what the plans really mean (is it feasible, who's behind it, when it might happen, how realistic, is it the only option, why not clarence park?) and also in understanding what it will mean for fans (will this location be a realistic alternative and ultimately will it be detrimental or positive for attendance?).
Like many, I'm surprised at the seeming sudden change of heart from a clarence park development to this being the 'only option' and am sceptical of the idea that a ground move will automatically mean increased attendance, higher revenues and long term sustainability which is what we all want.
I understand that our Chair attended the meeting last night and look forward to finding out more about it. I also hope that the trust can take a role in consulting with fans and co-ordinating responses to this.
Laura
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pirate
Saints Reserve Team Player
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Post by pirate on Jan 17, 2013 21:42:13 GMT
I'm on the trust board but answering for myself (not for the trust), although we are meeting in the next day or so to discuss this development. I hope that the trust will be able to play a role in finding out more about what the plans really mean (is it feasible, who's behind it, when it might happen, how realistic, is it the only option, why not clarence park?) and also in understanding what it will mean for fans (will this location be a realistic alternative and ultimately will it be detrimental or positive for attendance?). Like many, I'm surprised at the seeming sudden change of heart from a clarence park development to this being the 'only option' and am sceptical of the idea that a ground move will automatically mean increased attendance, higher revenues and long term sustainability which is what we all want. I understand that our Chair attended the meeting last night and look forward to finding out more about it. I also hope that the trust can take a role in consulting with fans and co-ordinating responses to this. Laura Thank you Laura |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2013 0:12:29 GMT
David Lewis wrote - I wonder if there is any truth in the rumours that were circulating at last Saturday's game - that there is an investor waiting in the wings who the fans won't be happy with.
I sat in the stand on Saturday and that rumour did not 'circulate' to me.
Who told you ?
Did anyone else hear this rumour?
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Post by EFMTFTV on Jan 18, 2013 0:16:19 GMT
I've heard the rumour as well
And cheers Laura for coming on and speaking, we need to make sure this ground is being built by the right people for the right reasons
Personally I'm not too trusting of the owners at this moment in time and I have my reasons
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2013 0:27:20 GMT
EFMTFTV - that's great !
That's two people who heard the rumour.
I think now we can trace it back to it's source.
Who did you hear it from ?
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Post by northamptonsaint on Jan 18, 2013 15:33:19 GMT
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Post by Hatboy on Jan 18, 2013 16:55:13 GMT
There is a lot going on this season isn't there !
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Diesel98
Saints Trialist
Power Them Up.
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Post by Diesel98 on Jan 18, 2013 20:23:54 GMT
There's a fine line between Prediction and Fact in Football, and reading the Concerns on this Post i am learning from afar what the concerns from the Fans are as i don't live locally anymore and have no Contact with anyone involved with the Club. I do hope that what the Owners decide to do will have a Positive bearing on what is the Ultimate point of the Club, Football. If Football is as important to the Owners as it is to me i would like to say listen to those who Care about the Game and the Club first, let the Complainers do what they do best and Ignore their BS. Too many Outsiders get 1st shot where Football is concerned.
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Post by marmalade on Jan 19, 2013 20:48:10 GMT
The Trust wants to consult with fans on this important issue and have set up a survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/7LD6THM - the survey is open to all supporters. Individual responses will be kept confidential but we will share a summary of results with the football club to help their planning and to inform the fans forum. We remain committed to a sustainable football club and look forward to finding out more about options for a new stadium as well as the potential to redevelop Clarence Park. |
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Post by northamptonsaint on Jan 20, 2013 13:20:42 GMT
is the proposed new ground in the same area where residents' objections resulted in a (City Youth?) planning application for floodlit-pitches and training facilities being turned down a couple of years ago?
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pirate
Saints Reserve Team Player
Posts: 295
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Post by pirate on Jan 20, 2013 15:46:27 GMT
The Trust wants to consult with fans on this important issue and have set up a survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/7LD6THM - the survey is open to all supporters. Individual responses will be kept confidential but we will share a summary of results with the football club to help their planning and to inform the fans forum. We remain committed to a sustainable football club and look forward to finding out more about options for a new stadium as well as the potential to redevelop Clarence Park. Done, and well done for setting this up. |
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Post by Canary Saint on Jan 20, 2013 17:38:13 GMT
Maybe the survey should be given an headline thread of its own?
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centurian
Saints Youth Team Player
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Post by centurian on Jan 20, 2013 22:51:54 GMT
as soon as residents near to the proposed development find out, there will be uproar they won't want a football ground. can't see it happening, i don't think a lot of people in st. albans care whether theres a football team or not!
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bandicoot
Saints Youth Team Player
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Post by bandicoot on Jan 21, 2013 0:16:57 GMT
Hate to say it but the residents in Colney Heath Lane kicked up a massive stink and opposed the 3G pitch at Nicholas Breakspear. They could have now have two more sets of floodlights for a football ground and full size 3/4G pitch to view from their back gardens, to already go with the floodlights at Oaklands College and Harvesters in Smallford. Their future is certainly bright...  |
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