Re: Sports Hub!
 

Ooh its a bit busy

Re: Sports Hub!
 

That's what scaremongering & propoganda does for you - talking to a lady this morning who was under the impression that it was the football club who was moving on to Highams' & would be playing their home matches on there :rolleyes:

Re: Sports Hub!
 

Pritchard is very good at that. i have wiped better off the sole of me shoe.

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Did anybody go along i.d love to know if it was as one sided as i.m told that it was

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Depends how you define 'one sided'!

Out of around 150 in the room, only 3 people, including our 'Council Leader', Miles Parkinson, were in favour of ASCT taking over Highams.

Miles kept on insisting that 'many more people are in favour of the proposal', but, on last night's evidence, I find that difficult to believe to say the least, as only two of the 'many' bothered to turn up!

As I have said before, I am a great admirer of what the Trust is achieving, but I think that they are making a terrible mistake in attempting to take away public space, upsetting local residents etc., and, in the end, the football club will suffer by implication, as their name is being used.

Any goodwill that Stanley have achieved in recent years will be destroyed if this proposal succeeds.

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Aye but if people are that stupid to blame the club, then i doubt very much if their was any goodwill by those anyway?

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If you read the original 'invite' as posted at the top of page 3 it's clear that they were only asking those people against the proposals to attend, so this is no surprise.

From the outside it looks like group of NIMBY's having a moan who would welcome the scheme if it was elsewhere. This sort of opposition will exist wherever the hub were to be based.

Did the meeting propose any alternative sites where such opposition would not be a hurdle?

Re: Sports Hub!
 

One sided as in where 140 selfish gits get together to try to stop something thats clearly going to be advantageous for the town as a whole.

Not sure why you find that so hard to believe last nights meeting was seen as nothing more than an exercise for a few selfish nimbys who carnt be bothered to find somewhere else for their dogs to crap to meet up and concoct other way out reasons for stopping a project that everyone else can see is beneficial for the town as a whole.

You clearly have reading difficulties as its been stated numerous times by lots of different people the latest being the clubs owner as recently as yesterday that this application has nothing to do with Accrington Stanley Football Club [if it were a lot of the grant money it has attracted simply wouldnt of been given to it ] so move on and accept youve lost that one already

This is quite simple really should 140 selfish people be able to stop a two million pounds plus investment in facilities for the towns young sports people ? Should they hell as like if they want somewhere for their dogs to crap get together and buy yourselves somewhere for that if not let the Trust get on and provide these magnificent facilities for the town and its young people.

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As an outsider looking in it seems to me that it's another case of the silent majority not getting its wishes due to attitude of a small minority.

Reminds me in many ways of the fracking arguement where those opposed claim to speak for the majority of Lancashire folk when in truth no pole of the entire Lancashire population have ever been consulted. Once again a classic case of NIMBYism.

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Sums things up pretty well i reckon.;)

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A couple more pictures

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Aye and every one of them should hang their heads in shame for what theyre doing to deny the future youth of the town an asset that every other town would be proud to have for their own very selfish reasons which they make even worse by trying to dress them up with other issues that most of them couldn't actually care less about.

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I think the sports hub proposal is really good for Hyndburn but the loss of freely accessible public land is not good for Hyndburn. Whatever happens with this proposal we can be sure it isn't the first and won't be the last piece of land Hyndburn Borough Council will try and sell off or pass over to some other organisation to manage for them.

One question asked last night was - "What is HBC getting out of this deal?"

It was answered but some people still think HBC are making money out of the proposal. They are not, what they are doing is saving the money they previously spent on the maintenance of Highams. This could mean more maintenance will be able to be done on other areas in Hyndburn or it could mean the Council will be able to reduce their workforce as that maintenance is no longer needed.

The important information from last night was that the Trust expects to have the project plans/proposal completed by their architects within 4 to 6 weeks. It is then expected the Trust will hold a public meeting to explain the plans and answer questions.

An interesting irony in all this is that Hyndburn Borough Council protected Highams from this kind of thing by making it a Field in Trust

More info on Fields in Trust here Highams Playing Field, Thorneyholme Road, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 6BD - Fields in Trust

Re: Sports Hub!
 

Of course they shouldn't hang their heads in shame. They went to the meeting to oppose something they have been given very little information about. If they had been given more information from the start maybe more people from the immediate area would be ok with the proposal.

It's ok you mentioning nimby ism but when it could well affect the local people on a daily basis they have a right to know more and to object if they feel the late night light and noise will affect them. Or if they don't want more traffic on the road outside their home. Many are against because they expect a fence all the way around the area and they will lose what has been their free to access at anytime green space.

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As far as I can tell the trust have put as much information as they currently have available on their website, and have promised to keep the public informed when plans are more advanced (part of what you said above confirms this impression). So the trust aren't telling any half truths or making any unsubstantiated claims.

Quite why those opposed to the plans can't wait until then to discuss it points towards their opposition being self motivated rather than fact based.

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They are telling people some information yes but they haven't explained where the local residents will be able to access free green space to play with their children which is one concern.

I think it was good for that group to meet last night. It appeared they have now organised themselves for when the plans are available.

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So why didn't they attend the original residents meeting?if they were that concerned surely they would have! or have the sheep waited for shepherd "Pritchard" and the slimeballs to wind them up?

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the original residents meeting was nothing of the sort. It was confirmed last night by Miles Parkinson (leader of the council) that ASCT had approached Laneside Residents Association who then backed the idea. The inference was that it was one guy.

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Yes but to protect it from some unscrupulous property developer and to thwart these excellent plans are two completely different situations and should be seen as such.

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Well in that case maybe before gobbing off they should perhaps take the time and effort to study the preliminary information thats been provided which i.m pretty sure addresses all the issues youve mentioned including showing a plan which clearly shows that the whole playing fields area will NOT be fenced off.

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So, my take on the meeting.

I went primarily because I thought it would be a small group of busybodies trying to whip up a scaremongering campaign to another small group. It wasn't. As Kitchener said there were at least 150 people present. It was fairly impossible to ascertain how many were vehemently against the idea and how many were there just for a nosy. A show of hands for and against was requested at one point - Miles Parkinson and I put our hands up (two in my case) and two others tentatively put theirs up - there was at least one other person there who I knew to be in favour but who kept his hand down.

On numerous occasions it was mentioned that ASCT had been invited but refused to come. It was also pointed out by the council guy that Martin Fearon had stated prior to the meeting being organised that he would have his own meeting once full details were there to be given. This IS a sensible move but each time it was mentioned there was House of Commons type guffaw from the crowd. Also on numerous times it was shouted out that "where are these supposed people in favour?" This was in response to Miles stating that he knew there were many people also in favour. The crowd were inciting that because 'nobody' was there in a show of support then surely nobody was actually in support.

He made the point that in order for the council to maintain these sort of areas they have to be being paid for at some point, as cuts were savage in all areas of borough funding. If an organised event is played on there then they have to pay. This entitles them to have the grass cut and the pitches marked out. Less and less official usage means that it comes towards a point where the area WILL NOT be maintained and will quickly change to wasteland. It HAS happened at Arden Hall Park, Bullough Park has just been condemned as unfit for purpose and King Georges is also out of action for the season. As Neil pointed out it was also stated that the council will save significant costs by not maintaining the land. This will then transpire as more money for other areas or less job cuts.

The main cause of concern is that the people are losing their access rights to a public field and once it is fenced off then that is the end of the dog crapping, or whatever else. At this point it is unknown exactly what the plans are - so they are getting irate about something they may not need to get irate about at this point.

On numerous occasions the point was raised that at some point there would be little to stop Accrington Stanley turning it into their own personal training ground. I answered this by quoting Andy Holt's tweet from the previous night which stated that the clubs next major investment (after the planned power upgrade) would be to build a training facility - and that this was likely to be outside of the borough. This wasn't listened to and they moved swiftly along.

The meeting was reasonably well run by Malcolm Pritchard. I dislike the fella but I can't fault his passion for something. He was obviously in the Against camp but still tried to display some kind of decorum, despite the occasional dig.

Miles Parkinson was more than obviously supportive of the proposal and was at pains to point it out at every opportunity. He spoke well and wholly and didn't fudge any issue that arose. Unfortunately there were a good few at the meeting who really just wanted to point out the follies of the Council and blame them for every ill in the world.

Miles stated that in order for the proposal to be passed it first had to meet the criteria of;
Sport England - they have to approve the idea and that it has merit and is worthy of the grants etc.
Fields in Trust - just as it sounds. Some sort of heritage body that protects fields for public usage
Somebody else who I cant remember because every time Miles got to this point he was being shouted down, but it was something along the lines of a sporting body I think

After those three have been satisfied it can go before the Planning Committee where they will take into consideration the views of all interested parties and the various recommendations made by the three criteria groups.

The biggest cheers of the night, in my opinion, were reserved for comments surrounding location. Somebody mentioned Bullough Park as being the ideal site as it was in an area crying out for investment. ASCT have been to look at the site but it was deemed unrealistic. The facts of the matter on sites is that they have a sum of up to £2m in grants to spend on the entire project. IF it would cost £2m to flatten a site, or install drainage, or run power etc then it would leave nothing for the actual development. In truth Highams is the most ideal site out of anything 'available'. The comments about locations came up a few times and each was met by clapping. The conclusion I draw from this is that it really is a case of NOT IN MY BACK YARD. When this is the attitude (and I can understand it) then people will fight tooth and nail for the cause, but it annoys me when they find reason after reason after reason when really its just down to not wanting it there.

The meeting went on for 2 and a half hours.


My opinion for what its worth is that the idea has full merit but unfortunately the most suitable location is the best example of public land in the borough. It really would be a shame to lose it, but it would also be a shame to lose the prospect of a proper, professional Community Trust being established in an under privileged town.

The group opposing the plan stand half a chance if they can organise themselves into a coherent group rather than a rabble banging on about nothing. I've argued til I'm blue in the face with the Facebook group but yet they consistently raise the same points

• Accrington Stanley Community Trust IS Accrington Stanley Football Club. Not to be trusted and the fields will have been conceded to a private, profiteering group
• Its well used
• noise will be unbearable
• floodlights will cause noise pollution
• no public right of way through the fields
• traffic

All of these points are either counterable (except maybe the trust issue on point 1 however wrong the assumption of same company is) or resolvable.

In the favour of the ASCT is that they have the backing of the council who are keen to see a multi million pound investment in the town, they have the Junior Football League behind them as well as numerous other sporting bodies.


I dont think much else in the way of fact can be reported from last night, it would be more a case of gut feeling and opinion. What I can say though is that when ASCT announce their meeting they could do with a hell of a lot more bodies showing up in support if you are For. IT is true to say though that people never come out in favour of something because really you have to be against something in order for it to stir up enough gumption to get people off their arses.

I hope that Martin has a good plan for his meeting because it WILL be him against a mob.

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Oh one more thing I forgot.


The Against group were pinning a lot of hope on an apparent fact that Highams Fields were donated to the borough by Alderman Higham and that they had some kind of documentation to that effect. They assumed then that the fields could not be then donated on to another party.

Miles Parkinson had the deeds to the land dating back to 1929 I think. The deeds stated that the land was purchased by the borough for the sum of £877. The fact that it was purchased means that legally they can pass it on however they see fit.

Or words to that effect, I was getting arse cramp by this point

Re: Sports Hub!
 

Thanks for such a thorough summary, Macca.
As a non-combatant, it seems to me that one key to help unlock this could be the earlier suggestion that HBC are in discussions with LCC to 'acquire' the land west of the playing fields in order to turn that into public open space.
If that happened it may answer those who claim it's the loss of access to 'public' land that is the issue.
Alternatively, it could be helpful if LCC could support the proposal and make its (i.e. 'your) surplus land available, so the Trust doesn't need to use all of Higham's.

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The adjacent land is owned by the nursery apparently, and therfore indirectly (i think) by LCC.

LCC do maintain it and retrospectively bill the school.

According to the residents it is VERY rarely used if at all but hasnt been opened for 30 years or so.

Miles said that as they were closed for the summer nothing further would happen here until September.

It really would solve a few problems if it could be opened up.

Another potential avenue would be for alleyways to be provided between the various zones, so that walkers could still do so

Re: Sports Hub!
 

Great posts, Macca, a very fair, unbiased report of the meeting.

As one of the NIMBYs, after listening to what was being said by our illustrious 'Council Leader', I have decided to 'move on', as advised by some other poster on here, who appears to live nowhere near Hyndburn! Moving on, not because of his advice, but because I am still of the opinion that I raised at the beginning of the meeting, that this issue has been 'cut & dried' for some time, (nothing that was said last night has made me re-think this opinion) & it is now counter-productive to oppose the proposal. As I have said previously, I am not against ASCT, but, I'm afraid that I just can't help being a NIMBY!

If Cuadrilla was applying to commence fracking on Highams', despite seeing the benefits of fracking for the country as a whole, I would still be a NIMBY!

Finally, I wish Malcolm & his newly formed committee all the best in which I feel is now a fruitless campaign.

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Was great to meet you and have a chat last night.

I too think the proposal is already agreed, and I hate that idea. Though it will be great to see Malcolm's face if and when its finalised. If he starts talking about chaining himself to trees I'll provide the locks ...

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And I will throw away the keys

Great post by macca, as someone who didn't attend. It's great to get an insight into what went on! I agree with macca that it's mainly a NIMBY and I can understand that, who would want the building works, extra traffic, noise, floodlights, etc day in day out? Our chairman has been voicing his opinion on this tonight on twitter interesting to read his side of it! I also agree with him too about Accrington needing investment. The town is in dire straights of investment, the council don't help themselves with the high rent charges but that's another topic for another section.

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And you, Macca, although on different sides, it was good to have a sensible exchange of opinions, rather than some of the guff on here from people who have no concept of the feelings of local residents, and can only abuse the person who may express beliefs they do not agree with.

AS far as Malcolm is concerned, can I please hold the keys?

OOPS!
Dav1d can obviously type quicker than I can!!

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Yes, and it was confirmed last night who were the people putting these flyers through our letterboxes!!

Clue: initials PC & MP (not Malcolm!)

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If it isn't used for sport, and we all know the decline of 11 aside footy at grass roots especially at adult level, then it will inevitably be used for housing.

Maybe an incinerator would provide much needed jobs there? It has other potential uses which won't be as community friendly.

There is pressure on Council's to dispose of land for new housing, and a nice greenfield site is always attractive.

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A lot of the people at that meeting who are actually looking into the plans and if it is allowed by Fields in Trust etc are not involved with Malcolm but are involved with this facebook group https://www.facebook.com/savehighamsplayingfields/


They are not a group of gobby residents but working through the proposal in a sensible and polite manner unlike a few at the meeting on Wednesday night who were more interested in being clapped for having a pop at the Council and talking nonsense.

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Does Laneside Residents Association even exist anymore? Where and when do they meet? I was under the impression they have disbanded and it looks like the spoke with the old chairman of the group. In reality, that group no longer functions. They used to attend one of my group meetings and stopped coming because they basically lost their members.

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I will be surprised if the field isn't fenced off. It doesn't make sense not to fence it or they can't protect their investment. Would you as the football league invest £2 million on an uprotected site?

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It can't be used for housing, that would be against the conditions in the councils deed for the land. That was explained at the wednesday night meeting.

Some think it was gifted to the people as it sounds good but it isn't true, the truth is in the deeds.

Rough deed details are the land was bought by the then Accrington now Hyndburn Council for just under £900 and it has to be for public recreation use.

It's the public bit that's up for legal discussion.

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I believe dogs should be banned from all playing pitches so for me the dog thing isn't an issue.

I think the biggest sensible argument is that the local residents are losing free access to their field. I'm interested to see how the Trust handle that problem when the plans are available.

As for them getting irate, people usually do when they don't know the facts. They assume the worst and are easily persuaded everything will be bad.
The Trust must know how they plan to deal with the locals access to land issue. It must have been discussed a long time ago and the fact it hasn't been explained makes me feel there won't be any free access.

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as i do not live in accrington the issue does not affect me. the main issue is that people do not like or want change anywhere. there is always objections to every development that comes out nowadays that may or maynot help the communities that exist. people in favour usually do not get involved either. as for dog owners i bring mine to games when its cooler and find plenty of places to walk for 45 mins or so without touching the playing fields.

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If its not fenced off they can build it tomorrow for me :D

I was thinking that the top bit is only being used as it is now could still be left unfenced ? That would please everyone I think ??

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Land use can change at any time. look at the GMSF with most of the allocations for housing in greenbelt (former).

Who else is party to the land charge? Someone tells you something at a meeting, well that must be the case forever...

The deed can be changed if the relevant parties who signed it want it to. It is pretty basic stuff.

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Do you not understand the meaning of the word "whole" ?

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People who think they know better should perhaps read up on whats happening in Greater Manchester re The Spacial Framework but basically it means that the need for land for housing overrides any other considerations and if a piece of land is deemed as needed but is protected by such things as ancient deeds then legislation will be enacted to overcome the problem so maybe the Nimbys should be more careful what they wish for.

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If you're referring to me i can assure you i am both a resident and council tax payer of Hyndburn.

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So boys and girls, the plans are out!

REVEALED: New Sports Hub Plans | Accrington Stanley Community Trust

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Most of you know I'm a Supporter of this project, and I appreciate that some of you arent. Surely this shows that most of the 'concerns' are poppycock?

There's a page on Facebook that you may have seen SAVE Highams Playing Fields, Ive spent half the afternoon debunking the lies and myths that they post on there - only to have the thread deleted because opinion was swinging in favour and their concerns had been netted down to nothing more than 'not in my back yard'

Media Censorship at its finest.

Here's the screenshot of admin reasoning for the deletion

Re: Sports Hub!
 

Thought it'd gone quiet on there, the Trust's plans look amazing - hopefully their meeting next week will be more positive than the one organised a while back by Mr. Pritchard

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Nothing new in the plans apart from not showing the fence which will surround it.
It says healthy trees will remain but others will be cut down so I think the people of Accy know what that means ;)

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I think most of the people of accy, are aware what a self serving prat "Pritchard" is also.:rolleyes:

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To be honest, I walk past the playing fields quite alot and mainly all you see is dogs exercising on the field(which can be done on the coppice,peel park area (a few hundred meters away). As long as they keep the play park which they are going to the plan is surely a vast improvement for are town and area.

Sent from my Moto G (5) using Tapatalk

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I've just posted a comment on the Save Highams' page on facebook, just pointing out to some who are going on about kids not being able to play freely up there if the hub is built that when mine were younger they struggled to do that anyway because of the amount of dog muck on there.
I'll probably get some flack for it but doesn't make it any less true.

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To be honest Cashman he went up in my estimations outside the Town Hall the other night when people were having a protest before the Council meeting. He greeted all the arriving Councillors and some were quite rude to him saying shame on him for not towing the Party line and not voting for the Hub. When I asked him why they were being so rude to him he replied that he was trying to help the residents of his Ward rather than the Labour Party. You had to be there to see some of the so called people that represent this Borough it was shameful.

Like I've said all along its a done deal the investment is good for the Town just think there has always been better locations for it but I'm always going to say that as I will live directly opposite the site. So I'm a NIMBY :D

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Labour,UKIP. Independant, says it all about that piece of crap, he changes party to what happens to suit at the time, i wasn't even aware he was back with Labour? he switches that often, in fact i will be amazed if they accepted him back.

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Just looked it up says he's UKIP !! Must have just been giving him grief because he opposed the Hub then ??

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They have not accepted him back. He has just agitated an issue for his own personal political platform. I can't understand why anyone would vote for him in any party. He has not told the whole story on the hub issue. I am not affected either way so I have no axe to grind. I do believe people need to be fully aware of all the facts before any decision can be made. I questioned whee the money was coming from and Sport England was the answer. So if it is a betterment of facilities then perhaps it needs closer examination. On the issue of the fencing I was assured that it was there to stop dog fouling in the pitch area. I can understand that, I was also told the land would not be sold off and it would be free access to people. As I say I don't live there so I won't be involved in any way shape or form. Simply tell people the whole story and then let them make the decision. I am with Cashy on this Malcom Pritchard opportunist. Ignore him and ask the people who do have the facts.

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As a supporter of the hub I was overjoyed that Pritchard threw his political weight behind the Save campaign. If they had any chance of succeeding it disappeared the moment they appointed him Chairman of the group

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He's probably expecting a back hander of Barrett's housing if he agreed to them building houses there. I know which I prefer.

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With the Huncoat Housing Zone next door with a potential for 2k new houses under a maximum growth scenario I think it would be 7-10 years before housing would be built on the proposed hub site at the earliest.

There just isn't the demand for new builds in Hyndburn, hence very small new build delivery figures in the past. However as Gremlin suggests housing is likely to be there in the next generation with the Government's current 'direction of travel' and it won't matter what party is in power.

Use it or lose it.

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The Trust team held their public meeting last night. This was their turn to put across THE FACTS. It was an opportunity for the opposition to clarify the points to which they have concerns. It was the time for the truth to be told and myths dispelled. Supporters of the proposal held their breath, awaiting the swathe of public hostility (2500 signatures apparently). All the valuables in the bar were carefully hidden away (the nice glasses), and all sharp objects were removed.

By kick off time the door was heaving - in the gentle breeze!

33 people bothered to turn up.

Of those 33 at least 12 were either bar staff, ASCT or media. Of the remaining 21 i personally overheard at least 6 state they had been fence sitters but having heard the FACTS were now firmly behind it.

Sorry to the savers, but you had your opportunity and your 'overwhelming' petition has been reduced to nothing more than confetti paper.

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"Sorry to the savers, but you had your opportunity and your 'overwhelming' petition has been reduced to nothing more than confetti paper"

Yeah thats right Rob you can burn it as well on your Council Bonfire :D

Like I've always said its happening anyway no need to go on websites stirring it up Rob, just wait for it to be announced properly and people will have to accept it.

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Fair enough Martin, just updating the thread and putting my opinion in.

I think we both agree it was always gonna happen but my bugbears have been with those without valid reason choosing to oppose. And the facebookers who said they knew nowt about it

Re: Sports Hub!
 

I know mate, I think there is another meeting next week for the Residents but I think the decision might hinge on Fields In Trust I think that’s the only hope the Residents have really. I fully understand if you don’t live round here or your a Stanley Supporter or someone who just thinks it will benefit them or the Community your bound to want it, I want it just not across the road ;). (NIMBY) :D

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This opposition no show don't surprise me 0ne bit, I went on a few marches to London and Edinburgh opposing the hunting ban, the turn out was in the thousands, the opposition lets say Stanley take more supporters to Yeovil. the point being it's easy to vote with your finger but when it comes to getting off your backside people ain't all that bothered.

Re: Sports Hub!
 

The meeting help my Councillor Pritchard was very well attended. I was there and the room was full and many standing.

I would have liked to have gone to this one but I was working.

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Thats the thing though Neil, Pritchards meeting had around 150 people. As time has gone by the 'there for a nosey' have disappeared. The 'there because my mate was' have disappeared'. The 'there because i was told this ... ' have disappeared as FACTS have come out.

When their petition first started I found myself in the newsagents on Marlborough Road. I was asked if Id like to sign the petition against Stanleys new training ground ...

Re: Sports Hub!
 

Next meeting is 19th October at St Josephs Church Hall 6.30-9.30 I bet theres a few more at this one.

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I wonder if the trust have been invited to Mr.Pritchard's next meeting cos they weren't asked to attend the first one?

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19th Martin? It'll be built by then!

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hahahaha

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It'll be a shame if at least part of it isn't open to the public (i.e. not fenced off, no booking necessary etc. so you can just turn up with a ball and play).

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The meeting stated, as did the press release, that FREE public access is available at all times when there isnt a game on - which is no different to now.

The only minor concession is that you would have to walk through the reception/cafe area to access it. Dogs arent allowed as recommended by the Fields in Trust guidelines for playing fields usage.

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Public meeting hears £2m sports hub plan at Higham's was not the preferred choice - Accrington Observer

50 years free use of it and turned it down, in what way could that not be a good use for the girls team?

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Plans passed by 10 votes to 2.

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good news

when does the build begin?

Re: Sports Hub!
 

Probably after the dog walkers have unchained themselves from the trees :rolleyes:

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Trees? Maybe not the best place to be chained to when dogs are being walked! ;)

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Yeah, but as we have expressly been informed by those who want to keep Highams' as it is, their dogs don't relieve themselves there or if they do it is cleaned up immediately - :rolleyes:

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All i have to say to that comment by em "Utter Crap":D

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Me too Cashy but the majority deny there is any 'utter crap' on the fields . . . . . . . :D:rolleyes:

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I only go on highams occasionally, but every time i do crap has been sighted, so that tells me exactly what kind of people these are that deny the fact.:rolleyes:

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its the same everywhere. its the usual suspects that always spoil it for the majority in this and most forms of life. been caught ot myself usually at away games without a bag but there,s always someone about who,s got a spare one for the dog i mean.

Re: Sports Hub!
 

Council seeks approval on Accrington Stanley's controversial new £2million sports hub | Lancashire Telegraph

Comments not the most supportive, most seem to think it’s for Andy holt to line his pockets, and the council also.

Re: Sports Hub!
 

The sooner Pritchard is too sodding old to open his stupid gob the better.

Re: Sports Hub!
 

We're never too old to be stupid, Cashy. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Re: Sports Hub!
 

ASCT are hoping to expand the Sports Hub!

https://twitter.com/asfccommunity/st...538200064?s=21

Although technically separate entities...This is great potential to raise the profile of ASFC and get more kids supporting ASFC for future generations!

Re: Sports Hub!
 

Fully agree that this is great news for the families of Accrington. With state of the art facilities for all ages to use.:alright:
However, be prepared for more opposition from those who want to continue to use Higham’s as a dog toilet!:ooh:

Re: Sports Hub!
 

The question that you have to ask is where will the cash be coming from ?

The Trust did absolutely brilliantly to attract the funding and grants that they did to enable the first stage to be build but surely that sort of money won't be there again this time round as other projects that haven't received any cash yet would in reality be prioritised and clearly as we recover from the pandemic cash will be a lot tighter.

Maybe given the current poor rate of interest if the Trust are confident of their financial model ie that the new facilities will create strong income streams then a bond issue could be the answer as surely there must be high net value people just looking for somewhere safe to park their cash for 10 years that would give them a better return than they are currently getting.

But i.m sure the trust will have this in mind and given it serious thought because without the cash being there the whole thing is just a pipe dream.