New pitch?

Discussion of all things related to the club and first team
Brit
Posts: 85
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:49 pm

Cost will include a lot of pitch levelling !
Lord Elpus
Posts: 643
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:09 pm

Wouldn't you need a lot of car parking in order to make pitch hire a success?
Shepperton Supporter
Posts: 1606
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:18 pm

On the Ks forum they is speculation of a ground share with us if we had 3g .They would have less travelling than to Tooting. They hope for a new ground in the borough of Kingston but if not !
Lord Elpus
Posts: 643
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:09 pm

Well if Ks do approach us (assuming the new pitch goes in) I hope we charge them top rate and don't do them any favours whatsoever
Tony
Posts: 1304
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:57 pm

Listening to Mark Anderson on K’s chances of securing a new ground in Kingston, it looks a very long way off. Moving out of borough could see them slowly disappear although they still have £750,000 in the bank from the AFCW donation. Sharing with us is still not going to be a long term solution for them and create problems for us. Ground sharing is difficult to make work. It isn’t just a matter of money.
TW3 Beaver
Posts: 585
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2021 10:56 am
Location: Lampton Village

Tony wrote: Sun Apr 10, 2022 9:55 am Listening to Mark Anderson on K’s chances of securing a new ground in Kingston, it looks a very long way off. Moving out of borough could see them slowly disappear although they still have £750,000 in the bank from the AFCW donation. Sharing with us is still not going to be a long term solution for them and create problems for us. Ground sharing is difficult to make work. It isn’t just a matter of money.
That £750,000 isn't going to last forever, and will slowly dwindle away all the while they are ground sharing.
RogerSW
Posts: 93
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 4:04 pm

Any feedback from the Q&A yesterday? I wasn't able to attend
Shepperton Supporter
Posts: 1606
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:18 pm

RogerSW wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 9:20 am Any feedback from the Q&A yesterday? I wasn't able to attend
Would be nice, was it filmed?
Les1949
Posts: 418
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2021 3:59 pm

Plenty of info from the club, plus an apology for not informing supporters of the club's proposals in advance.
The meeting went on until 8pm and there was some incisive questioning of the Board and Gary, on team matters.

From my perspective I have never liked 3G pitches however the club's intention is to bring back in house the club's activities, which makes perfect sense. In season 2022/23 there are likely to be more NL South team playing on 3G pitches (Worthing coming up, already have one).

As regards financing, as the club has 'no assets' it is not possible to morgage the club against the cost of a 3G pitch which might be up to £500k. In other words any loan will have to backed by personal gurantees not against the club. A pitch should, with proper maintenance last for 10 years, which an installing company would insure. Maintenance costs would be less than maintaining a grass pitch, but money would have to be put aside for when the 10 year life meant a re-laying.

Currently the club pays Bedfont Sports for use of their ground for training; Hanworth Villa for the Academy Team; The Unified Disability team have to play elsewhere; the Ladies team left as they couldn't play on our pitch. Our Youth Section play most of their matches 'Out of Borough' at Hanworth Villa and in Sunbury, they only have access to 4 pitches in the Borough at Bushy Park & Hampton Common, after Harlequins made an offer that Hampton Wick CC couldn't refuse.

A 3G pitch should mean few postponements (snow excluded!), Academy & Youth matches on a Wednesday (afternoon & evening), the ability to have 1st team training at the ground on a Tuesday (if no game) and a Thursday, possibility of attracting a Ladies Team for Sunday afternoon, a couple of youth games on a Sunday morning (on a rotating basis), and the Unified Disability team able to use the ground. Looking at that, there doesn't appear to be much room for 'booking in' outside clubs (apart from,perhaps, some of out youth teams training on Monday & Friday. The main benefit will be a reduction in outgoings going to other clubs.

All the above is still open for review and discussion. There will no doubt be objections from some (especially local residents) concerned that increased use may make extra noise/traffic etc. The club needs to talk to the locals to get them onside.

The Council can of course refuse to accept a new pitch, they might also only give permission but only allow a certain amount of usage, which might mean that the club's plans for usage might have to be trimmed back.

I doubt whether, even if permission was granted, that a new pitch could be in place for next season. Long way to go!
Shepperton Supporter
Posts: 1606
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:18 pm

Thanks Les for the summing up.
No mention of the floodlights?
Is it possible to give any updates on the playing side and Gary’s responses?
Tony
Posts: 1304
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 8:57 pm

Thanks Les. You say any loan for the 3G will not be be “against the club” but will be backed by personal guarantees. I presume you mean the club will be the borrower otherwise no guarantees would be needed. The club will still be primarily liable for the debt but if it cannot pay then the guarantors would be asked to make good any shortfall. If the guarantors did not pay up then the club would be in a potentially difficult position.
HamptonMad
Posts: 874
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2021 3:56 pm

Bracknell town paid half a million for new 3g pitch and floodlights. Games increased to every day and night. Local Residents complained. It all got stopped within 2 years. And Bracknell town now play 8 miles away at Sandhurst town.
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