MANCHESTER | New FC United Stadium | 5,000 | Proposed

[TheGrand]

http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/story.php?story_id=3462

DF Donations at the Mickelover game on Saturday

There were many emotions felt by FC United supporters following the announcement late on Friday afternoon that the dream of building our own ground at Ten Acres Lane was all but over. Watching people’s faces as they filed into the Member’s meeting in Prestwich on Saturday morning it was clear the over-riding one was disappointment. Huge, gut-wrenching disappointment, the likes of which most of us have not felt since Spring 2005.

Having known about the news a few days earlier, uppermost in the minds of the Board and General Manager were concerns about how supporters might react. The news would obviously affect morale hard, people were bound to question what was now going to happen and what the future for FC United might look like and so there was genuine concern on behalf of the Club’s Board that this news might knock confidence.

Fortunately, 350 or so Members were able to hear first-hand the events of the past week or so and they were told in no uncertain terms that the location might’ve changed but the dream wasn’t over. In fact, it is still very much alive. No spin, just a sober, clear account of where we are and where we’re going. Presenting facts to members and trusting them to draw their own conclusions, just as we’ve always done. Assessing the mood of people leaving the Member’s meeting the looks of concern had been replaced with optimism, Cautious optimism but optimism nevertheless.

However encouraging that might’ve been, 350 represents only ten percent of our current membership and there are possibly another couple of hundred match-going FC fans who aren’t members but were still very concerned about the previous day’s announcement and what it might mean for the Club. We still had a game to go to and there were a large number of supporters whose reaction we had not been able to measure. The short car journey from Prestwich to Gigg Lane was a therefore nervous one.

On arrival in Bury, those who had been at the meeting were going about their match-day duties or simply taking the time to talk to others who had been there or update those who hadn’t. Talking to supporters, their response was that given the emotional investment made in Ten Acres it was hugely disappointing that it was not to be our home but equally optimistic that the proposed new site will be as good if not better and that we will fight on.

You reacted by giving over £2,000 to the Development Fund at Saturday’s game at Gigg Lane . That was the combined total from the DF barrels (£9,173 so far this season) and Pound for the Ground (half time draw). Despite the low blow, you reacted by putting your hand in your pocket to make a statement that you still believe in what FC United is doing. You told us that you’re right behind the Club and will do whatever it takes to get us into our own ground.

Of course there are still a whole host of unanswered questions about what happens next and £2,000 doesn’t get us there but the response is exactly what everyone needed to see. We needed to know that spirits aren’t broken. We needed to be told that everyone is prepared to work hard to get us there, even if it’s not Ten Acres Lane . We will get there as long as you stand behind us and do everything in your power to ‘make it so’.

There are a some very busy times ahead for FC United. There is an extraordinary commitment required from everyone involved in the Club. Of course money is important but we know that a huge number of people are facing problems of their own as the economic situation affects more and more families. Your time is as important as money. We will need to push on with our fundraising so give what you can, when you can but please get involved. The Development Fund website gives details on up and coming events and initiatives – http://fc-utd.co.uk/devfund/ - or you can contact us via email on developmentfund@fc-utd.co.uk

Perhaps not as well known as “Top of the World” but certainly no less profound, Karen Carpenter sang “we’ll find a place where there’s room to grow... and we’ve only just begun”. She’s right on both counts – we will and we have. Thanks for your ongoing and unparalleled support.

[TheGrand]

Interview with FC United Board Member Adam Brown from Saturday about all things ground development

Footage courtesy of FCUM TV

[TheGrand]

FC United’s hunt for stadium heads into extra time

A new home for FC United will be announced next month. Bosses from the breakaway club have been locked in discussions with town hall chiefs since their plans for a 5,000 capacity stadium on Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath collapsed last month.

At the time FC officials said they were confident of finding a new location ‘within weeks’.

Manchester council’s head of leisure Eamonn O’Rourke said a decision would be revealed in April but remained tight-lipped on where the ground would be built.

He said: "We are currently considering a number of potential locations for the FC United stadium so it would be inappropriate to comment on specific sites. We will be making an announcement next month once locations have been evaluated and a preferred site selected.

"Given the funding constraints on the council, we need to ensure the stadium delivers the greatest possible benefits with the biggest positive community impact."

FC officials would also not be drawn on the location but said they were ‘satisfied with the way things were progressing’.

It is thought a preferred site in north Manchester has been identified.

FC were formed in 2005 in protest at the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United.

They play at Bury’s Gigg Lane home and attract average crowds of just under 2,000 despite competing on the seventh tier of English football.

FC had raised £1.3m towards a new stadium and looked set to build it on Ten Acres Lane, a stone’s throw away from where United were born. But those plans collapsed when the council carried out a spending review and withdrew £650,000 it had pledged, blaming government funding cuts.

Club bosses remained upbeat and their optimism looks set to be rewarded.

Mr O’Rourke also denied that the Ten Acres Lane site was dropped because it was too close to Manchester City’s Eastlands home.

He added: "The Ten Acres Lane site will remain in council ownership and we are working with the Manchester Sport and Leisure Trust with a view to them bringing forward proposals which would see further investment in community sports facilities there."

FC are currently on a 13-match unbeaten run and sit fifth in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

They reached the second round of the FA Cup this year, stunning Rochdale on the way before losing to League One pacesetters Brighton and Hove Albion in a replay.

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...nto-extra-time

[TheGrand]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...dium-in-moston

Home win: FC United to build 5,000 capacity stadium in Moston



FC United new home is to be in Moston, the M.E.N. can reveal.

Officials from the club - formed in 2005 in protest at the Glazer family's ownership of Manchester United - have been locked in talks with council bosses since their plans for a 5,000-capacity stadium in Ten Acres Lane, Newton Heath, collapsed last month.

The Ronald Johnson Playing Fields, close to Lightbowne Road, have now been identified as the new site. It too will have a 5,000 capacity, including up to 600 seats.

FC bosses will put a planning application before Manchester council this summer with a view to kicking off the 2012/13 season in Moston.

If all goes according to plan, work could commence before the end of the year.

FC general manager Andy Walsh said the planned stadium would be very similar to that earmarked for Ten Acres Lane.

He described it as a very positive day for the club but warned there was a long way to go.

Residents in the area will be consulted and a feasibility study carried out before the club, which is run on a co-operative basis, can progress.

Mr Walsh paid tribute to the work of council officers. He said: “They have done what they told us they were going to do.”

It will have a club house and an additonal a full-size artificial pitch. There are no plans at this stage for a sports centre but that may change.

Moston Juniors currently play from the site and they would be accommodated in the scheme,..

The plug was pulled on Ten Acres Lane when town hall bosses withdrew £600,000 of funding after carrying out a spending review in the light of government cuts.

Mike Amesbury, from the council, said: "These are exciting plans which will mean further welcome investment in north Manchester.”

Broughton Park, close to Hough End playing fields, and Wythenshawe Park were looked at but neither were considered viable. FC United currently play their matches in the seventh tier of English football at Bury's Gigg Lane. They regularly attract crowds of more than 2,000.

The club has raised £1.3m through a share scheme and £400,000 in donations towards the project. They will offer payment plans to residents close to the ground who wish to buy shares.

[TheGrand]

Ground - update 6th April

The Executive Committee of the Council has today passed our application, subject to conditions and a planning application. We also need to consult with local residents and local community groups.

Further details will be given at tomorrow evening’s General Meeting of club members which takes place at the Central Methodist Hall, Oldham street, Manchester with a start time of 7pm.

[TheGrand]

And this is the area.....ish





The site is less than a mile from the new Newton Heath & Moston Tram Stop, roughly same distance as Gigg Lane from Bury Tram Stop, it'll be for services to Oldham/Rochdale, City Centre and South Manchester (Didsbury & Chorlton), this new stop should be open for season 2012/13, 15 minute walk. But there is also the Victoria Rochdale train line near by too (marked with the red square), so perhaps long term the area could have its own train station too.

[mrddavies]

Hope all goes well this time.

[TheGrand]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...ed-stadium-bid

Offside!: Moston residents in bid to block FC United stadium bid



Hundreds of people have launched a campaign to block a bid to use playing fields for a new stadium for rebel football club FC United of Manchester.

The club – formed in protest at the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United – want to build a 5,000 capacity stadium on the council-owned Ronald Johnson playing fields, close to St Mary’s Road and Lightbowne Road in New Moston.

But people living close to the site – currently home to a junior football team – have vowed to fight the plans. Nearly 1,000 have signed a petition against the proposals, which they are to take to the town hall.

FC United, who have played at Bury's Gigg Lane ground since being formed in 2005, want to move to Manchester. Joanne Hilton, who lives on St Mary’s Road, said: "The community does not want this. It’s our local field and it has always been for us.

"There isn’t much greenery in Moston and we don’t want a stadium here.

"It has nothing to do with football. This field was gifted to the public and nothing was ever meant to be built here. There will be crowds, cars and there will be alcohol and the problems that causes."

The plans are expected to go before the council for approval in July.Moston Juniors currently hold a lease at the site until 2032 and pay £1,000 rent a year.

A spokesman for Moston Juniors said they had held positive meetings with FC United and the council.

Andy Walsh, general manager of FC United, who play in English football's seventh tier, said: "Football matches would be played there 25 to 30 days a year.

"We have always dealt with things in an open and honest way.

"The people of Moston Juniors and Moston are the very people whose views we have to take into account. This is not just about football, it's about creating a community facility and that is all part of the consultation over the coming weeks."

Moston councillor Paul Murphy said that the plans were far from a done deal.

He said: "There is a covenant on the land and the Charity Commission need to be satisfied this can happen. And if Moston Juniors are not happy with the plans, this is not a goer."

Eamonn O'Rourke, from the council, said: "We asked FC United to carry out a full public consultation and this is now under way. All representations will be taken into consideration before any final decision is made."

[Irish Blood English Heart]

I can see this all ending in tears again for FC United Sadly.

[TheGrand]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...t-in-community

Gift kicked off 101 years of sport in community
Mike Keegan



The Ronald Johnson playing fields were donated to the people of Moston in 1910 by the family who owned the nearby wire works.

Apart from a spell during and after World War Two when they were used to host prefabricated homes for those whose houses had been bombed, they have been used for football and cricket ever since.

The proposed stadium on the site replaces FC United's original plans to build a stadium at Ten Acres Lane in Newton Heath which collapsed when the council withdrew £600,000 funding.

Town hall bosses blamed that withdrawal on government cuts.

However, a draft proposal for the new site shows that the council will spend £750,000 if the plans get the go-ahead - money which was earmarked for improvements to the Moston site in 2009. It includes £200,000 to be spent on feasibility plans and business studies.

That disclosure will no doubt add fuel to claims - denied by the council - that it pulled the plug on Ten Acres Lane to avoid upsetting Manchester City, who are set to pump millions into the area as part of a huge regeneration scheme.

FC United, which is run by fans, has always wanted to build a new home in Manchester and looked set for Ten Acres – symbolically close to where Manchester United were born.

It is understood that plans for Moston will be similar to those that were drawn up for Newton Heath – a stadium with a capacity of 5,000 with around 500-600 seats.

The plans would include an astro-turf pitch and a club house but there would be no sports centre.

[TheGrand]

An interesting riposte from FC Fanzine A Fine Lung

http://www.afinelung.com/?p=2689

Beware the hypocrites in the hills

Today’s Oldham-based misnomer, the Manchester Evening News, carries an article from the point of view of residents opposed to FC United and Manchester City Council’s plans for a community football stadium in Moston.

Written by the same Oldham supporting, blue sympathising, little Ingerland, fake tan purveyer who disgraced himself with his anti-United tweets while spending the day with Bredbury city fans on Saturday, it puts the perspective across of residents from the area who feel aggrieved that their currently fenced off playing fields will be used for community benefit.

Furthermore, the Chadderton paper then sticks its oar in courtesy of its laughable editor’s comment page, where it calls into question FC United’s claims to be a community club.

The residents have every right to be worried and most of us would react the same way if there were plans to build a stadium near our own houses. They have every right to state their opinion and it will be them who shape the project equally as much as Moston Juniors and FC United. We must engage them and allay their fears if this project is to go ahead. They don’t deserve some of the criticism aimed their way from our less enlightened supporters, but they need to be won over.

It’s understandable that the newspaper would carry a story of a petition from residents opposed to a plan of this nature, but the prevalence given to it lacks perspective and the decision to add in a comment has to lead us to wonder what the paper’s agenda really is. Especially when they recently engineered it for the aforementioned anti-United yonner to become the main reporter on our quest for a ground.

Let’s not also forget that it was the Evening News, against the wishes of FC United, who broke the story when no one from the club was able to comment about Moston being the preferred location for a ground and that is one of the reasons the residents are understandably outraged.

It is also unbelievably hypocritical for a newspaper that abandoned the city of its roots to move out to the sticks against the wishes of its employees and readers (except the Oldham yonner responsible for the FC knocking story) to discuss the word ‘community’ at all.

The vast majority of those running the shambles that is Liverpool-based Trinity Mirror’s MEN Media know absolutely nothing about Manchester or its people. That’s why the paper, despite having some wonderfully dedicated journalists fighting to ply their trade against the backdrop of anti-union bullying and incompetent, talentless, sycophantic management staff, is a laughing stock in the city of its birth.

Pitching itself at commuters from the mill towns that surround Manchester, the Evening News long left its so-called community behind. The hard-working and talented staff on the ground do their best with poor resources, bullying, constant threats of redundancies and an employment policy that puts Oxbridge graduates far ahead of mancunians in the bloated journalist job queues.

FC United’s ‘community’ credentials are undoubted and anyone who saw Robin Pye’s presentation at the general meeting recently was left in awe at just how much good the club does throughout deprived areas of Greater Manchester. The same areas and the same work that MEN Media does not report on. The same areas that MEN Media no longer delivers its weekly papers to. The same areas that MEN Media decided didn’t deserve free weekly, local newspapers because those deprived areas didn’t bring any money into their business.

The comment is a blatant attempt to try and show the paper’s connection to the people of Moston, by backing a campaign that will ultimately hurt the local community if it is successful in blocking the project.

The editor is the person who oversaw the abandonment of Manchester by the paper that bears the city’s name. No amount of pandering to protest groups in order to appear ‘representative’, while knocking a club that is genuinely trying to make a positive difference to the city, will change that fact.

The MEN should be shouting with pride about the work an organisation like FC United carries out in Manchester. But instead it chooses to ignore it and now calls in to question its very being.

Get off your high horse Evening News and gallop back to the hills. To misquote a constantly mentioned ‘Diary’ celebrity favourite: ‘You say nothing to us about our lives.’

Stories here:

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...ed-stadium-bid

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...cipled-result-

[mrddavies]

No surprise that some people are against it, nothing gets built in england without at least one protest group. Seems we are completely apathetic to everything apart from when somebody wants to build something.

[TheGrand]

And now for some "Comment"

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...cipled-result-

Comment: Goal should be a principled result

That this football minnow should now be on the receiving end of protest over the location of its first stadium bears a certain irony.

FC United had aspired to create its first home at Ten Acre Lane in Newton Heath. This was a site of enormous historical significance, since Manchester United evolved from a railway works team founded in Newton Heath in 1878.

The cuts made necessary by the savagely-reduced government grant settlement to Manchester city council meant the withdrawal of the council’s £600,000 funding for FC United’s stadium plan and a search for a new site.

The Ronald Johnson playing fields in Moston were the next choice for FC’s 5,000-capacity stadium. But this has not gone down well with local residents. Almost a thousand have signed a petition in opposition, with only a handful of locals expressing support for the proposal, say campaigners.

Offside!: Moston residents in bid to block FC United stadium bid

These residents do not just complain about crowds, cars, and the possible drunken rowdyism associated with football. They also have a principled objection, that this land was gifted to the public, and that nothing was supposed to be built here.

Local councillor Paul Murphy confirms that there is a covenant on the land, and this is a matter which will involve the Charity Commission.

There is another vital stakeholder in all this. Moston Juniors have a lease on this site until 2032, running 20 teams, from under-sixes to an adult first team. Whatever happens with FC United’s aspirations must not interfere with all these other teams from lower down football’s food chain.

So far FC United talk a good game. Football would only be played here 25 to 30 days a year, says Andy Walsh, general manager of the team. The new stadium would be even more accessible to the community than at present. Moston Juniors would be helped, not hindered.

This will be, one suspects, a long and tight match which may run into extra time. But it is absolutely vital that FC United and the city council find the reassurances necessary to make this happen with residents’ approval, not in the teeth of their opposition.

If FC United stands for anything, it stands for the idea of a football club for the people, not the vested interests. To build FC United’s first home in the midst of people who don’t want it would be a contradiction of its own founding principles.

[flange]

Revealed: FC United’s plans for new stadium in Moston

Exclusive by Mike Keegan

June 08, 2011



Home fixture: An artist’s impression of the proposed ground in Moston.

This is how the new home for FC United will look – if the club’s plans get the green light.

The exclusive first look at the artist’s impression reveals the breakaway outfit’s proposals for a 5,000-capacity home on Moston’s Ronald Johnson playing fields .

FC bosses believe the designs illustrate the ‘minimal impact’ the planned move will have on residents.

They say stands at the compact stadium will be no higher than a large semi-detached house and point to a host of community facilities included in the project which they believe will open what is currently a fenced-off area to those who live nearby.

The £3.5m plans include two youth pitches for Moston Juniors, who currently lease the playing fields from Manchester council, with the opportunity to play major matches in the stadium.

There will also be a full-sized artificial pitch, an open-to-the public medical room managed by club physios and balconies where parents can watch their kids play.

As part of their bid to create an environmentally-friendly distinctive facility, railway sleepers will be used on the exterior of the stadium. An IT learning room is also planned and the club’s car park may be opened to nearby St Mary’s Primary to alleviate school-run issues.

Trees will be planted around the project and the positioning of a car park means the ground itself will be at least 50 metres away from nearby houses.

The Rebels, formed as a co-operative in protest at the Glazer family’s ownership of Manchester United, will make a planning application in the next two months.

Club officials will also contact the Charity Commission in a bid to satisfy a covenant on part of the land in between St Mary’s Road and Lightbowne Road.

General manager Andy Walsh said: "This development isn’t just about football, it’s about creating a community facility with open access to the people of Moston and north Manchester. It’s about proposals that create the opportunity to enhance the existing provision in the local area.

"We are working in partnership with Moston Juniors and Manchester council and we’ve been in discussions with them for around 10-12 weeks.

"FC United are trying to minimise the impact on the local area and we want to reassure residents that their concerns will be listened to."

The club, who play in the seventh tier of English football, are currently voluntarily speaking to residents, some of whom have objected to their plans. Once the application goes in a period of formal consultation will take place before a verdict is reached.

The drawings are consultation drafts and may be amended before that application is made.

But Joanne Hilton, who lives on St Mary’s Road and has led protests against the scheme, remains unmoved.

She said: "They have spent a lot of time and money on the drawings and the plans would be great – for a brownfield site.

"But this is green land and we don’t want it. We surveyed people at one of the drop-ins and out of 221 people asked 170 were against it. This is not about football, it is about keeping that field for the people of Moston."

If the development goes ahead, FC United, who currently play at Bury’s Gigg Lane ground and attract average gates of around 2,000, will kick off at their new home in time for the 2012-2013 season.

Planning permission will be sought for all stands to be under cover but two may remain roofless if plans go over budget.

The site was identified as an alternative to Ten Acres Lane, Newton Heath, after Manchester council reallocated funding.

FC United are also looking to bring in additional funding to improve the pitches on nearby Broadhurst fields.

Chances to have your say ...

FC UNITED bosses are holding four drop-in sessions to get feedback from local people who will be affected by the plans.

Residents have launched a major attack on the proposals – claiming the stadium will bring anti-social behaviour and parking problems to their neighbourhood.

But general manager Andy Walsh said: "We recognise that the residents are anxious about the disruption that the proposals might bring. We want to reassure people that this is a small football ground with a maximum capacity of 5,000.

"In five years at Gigg Lane, we have only had a handful of incidents of anti-social behaviour. We recognise parking is an issue but we are working with residents to address that."

The drop-in sessions will be at Moston Methodist Church on June 21, 6pm-8pm; Moston Labour Club on June 22, 6-8pm; North City Library on June 29 from 6pm-8pm and at the Miners Community Centre on June 30 from 6pm-8pm.

Mr Walsh said: "This is not a done deal so we want to hear any concerns so we can take these into consideration as we develop our proposals."

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereven...dium-in-moston

[TheGrand]

Enjoy

http://www.fc-utd.co.uk/mcsf/FCUnite....FINAL_LOW.pdf

[Sifter]

What is the situation with the tender for this scheme? Has it gone out? When is the planning decision due to be announced?

[Chorlton Metro]

Planning decision due late October,was due 15 September

[TheGrand]

Courtesy of FCUM Radio


FC United General Manager, Andy Walsh gives an update on the Moston Community Stadium.

http://audioboo.fm/boos/469544-mosto...lsh-10-09-2011

[RMB2007]

Approved.

[RMB2007]

Does anyone have a link to the planning application for this?