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baldy 02-02-2017 16:17

Sports Hub!
 
Great news for Stanley Trust and the whole of Accrington in general!

Done unbelievable since they started in 2010. Getting the Stanley name into schools every day as well as involving people of all different ages and abilities, promoting the Stanley name!

Two possible sites earmarked for £2m 'sports hub' in Accrington - Accrington Observer

Exile on Spencer St 02-02-2017 17:27

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Mr Fearon and his team are doing a fantastic job. Well done to all. Hope the funding comes through.

Shurm 02-02-2017 17:35

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Well done

Chimer 02-02-2017 21:29

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Can someone please remind an exile (me) where the Higham playing fields are?

Bells are ringing, but I can't lock on ........

I do know where the Wham is, though.

st06nc2 02-02-2017 21:42

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimer (Post 1186726)
Can someone please remind an exile (me) where the Higham playing fields are?

Bells are ringing, but I can't lock on ........

I do know where the Wham is, though.

Pretty much across road from accy crem

Exile on Spencer St 02-02-2017 21:49

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chimer (Post 1186726)
Can someone please remind an exile (me) where the Higham playing fields are?

They are on the right hand side of Thorneycroft Road (on way to Accie Cricket Club) between that road and the railway line to Burnley. Used to be a swamp when I was a lad but the Council have done some massive remodelling recently.

maccawozzagod 02-02-2017 22:41

Re: Sports Hub!
 
1 Attachment(s)
The Community Trust is arguably becoming a bigger entity than the Football Club now!

Seriously though, the CT is doing massive things in the community and isn't shouted about anywhere near enough. There are frequent comments on here about "getting into the schools" etc ... the picture that follows tells you what they have done in the last year

Chimer 03-02-2017 16:42

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by st06nc2 (Post 1186727)
Pretty much across road from accy crem

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exile on Spencer St (Post 1186728)
They are on the right hand side of Thorneycroft Road (on way to Accie Cricket Club) between that road and the railway line to Burnley. Used to be a swamp when I was a lad but the Council have done some massive remodelling recently.

Ta muchly both!

Exile on Spencer St 03-02-2017 18:08

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Exile on Spencer St (Post 1186728)
They are on the right hand side of Thorneycroft Road (on way to Accie Cricket Club) between that road and the railway line to Burnley. Used to be a swamp when I was a lad but the Council have done some massive remodelling recently.

Ha, ha. Shows I've been in Hampshire too long. It's Thorneyholme Road, not Thorneycroft! :o:o

choirboy 04-02-2017 10:19

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Will the Stanley Squad be able to use it as their Training Ground?
(Where do they train at the moment?)

smobile 05-02-2017 13:36

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Must admit that I didn't know much about the Stanley Trust until I went to the Supporters Club Presentation before Xmas - I was blown away hearing what they do. They are into ALL the schools, giving away Stanley Branded goodies to get the kids hooked. I really was amazed at everything they were involved with.

Would love the club to be able to make use of Old Accs pitches, that could make it a real extension of the club, with decent training & community facilities.

st06nc2 01-03-2017 20:32

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Petition started to keep Higham Playing Fields from becoming home to Accrington Stanley's new £2million sports hub (From Lancashire Telegraph)

A petition to stop it been built, some people really are a joke, don't the people of Accrington want to support the club? Don't they want the town to have facilities to help improve the town, this is a great project for the club and town and will hopefully encourage more young children too Stanley, suprised IT wernt the people near livingstone road complaining though they complains out everything else

Neil 01-03-2017 20:51

Re: Sports Hub!
 
I think the sports hub will be good for the area but not if it will mean a loss of freely accessible public land. Many of the users of Highams have no interest in football and use the area for other recreational activities. There is still not enough information about what land will be lost to the public. There is also concern about the funding and management of the facility. This is probably due to its ties to the club and the history of financial issues.

AccyMad 02-03-2017 09:00

Re: Sports Hub!
 
I can understand people's reservations but at the moment as far as I'm aware, it's only at the stage of a feasibility study being carried out & I presume more detailed information will be available after that has been completed.
And yes, it's well known that Stanley have a somewhat chequered history with regard to it's finances although hopefully that is now behind us but the Community Trust including their finances is run completely separately to the club.

Lord Stiffupperlip 06-03-2017 18:57

Re: Sports Hub!
 
I notice that Accrington Cricket Club (adjacent to Highams) now have a football pitch laid out on their extensive playing field.
I think it's used for boys football. However, as cricket is a summer sport & footy a winter game, would it not be possible for Stanley to use this facility for training during winter?
Naturally the wicket would have to be protected, but there's enough space for 2 full size soccer pitches, even allowing for the wicket section.
I regularly walk past their ground & have never ever seen it flooded or waterlogged.

NORTHERNSOUL 12-03-2017 02:52

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by st06nc2 (Post 1188826)
Petition started to keep Higham Playing Fields from becoming home to Accrington Stanley's new £2million sports hub (From Lancashire Telegraph)

A petition to stop it been built, some people really are a joke, don't the people of Accrington want to support the club? Don't they want the town to have facilities to help improve the town, this is a great project for the club and town and will hopefully encourage more young children too Stanley, suprised IT wernt the people near livingstone road complaining though they complains out everything else

Probably bothered that they.ll have nowhere to let their dogs crap if this project goes ahead.

Not so much as case of not in my back yard as not in my dogs toilet.

monkey hanger 12-03-2017 07:39

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by NORTHERNSOUL (Post 1189672)
Probably bothered that they.ll have nowhere to let their dogs crap if this project goes ahead.

Not so much as case of not in my back yard as not in my dogs toilet.

if they are successful with their petition i hope they use it for fracking then.

DAV007 12-03-2017 09:12

Re: Sports Hub!
 
the club need to give serious consideration to leaving the hydburn council boundary

deeayess 12-03-2017 09:21

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DAV007 (Post 1189683)
the club need to give serious consideration to leaving the hydburn council boundary

It's not April the 1st for a few weeks yet!

The crowds are poor enough without moving away from Accy unless you are looking for an Accy indyref cos they're the options for leaving Hyndburn :D

monkey hanger 12-03-2017 09:29

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DAV007 (Post 1189683)
the club need to give serious consideration to leaving the hydburn council boundary

fc skipton stanley.

Chrisr 12-03-2017 09:30

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Is this not where the ladies play football? I understand there is some acrymony as they are being priced off their playing area. It has been suggested that the club want the land for a 4G pitch. If this is the case then this is unacceptable. Other people in this community have the right to play their sport at an affordable price. I think their is a lot more to this than meets the eye. As much as I support the club I fully support the retention of the playing fields for use by the community.

monkey hanger 12-03-2017 10:57

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisr (Post 1189687)
Is this not where the ladies play football? I understand there is some acrymony as they are being priced off their playing area.

local football in general are being priced off their playing area by schools or councils. in the bradford area its over 100 pounds for a 3g pitch on a sunday therefore they are unused as no one can afford them.as from next season teams will have to cut the grass and mark em out so more teams expected to resign.

AccyMad 12-03-2017 11:19

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisr (Post 1189687)
Is this not where the ladies play football? I understand there is some acrymony as they are being priced off their playing area. It has been suggested that the club want the land for a 4G pitch. If this is the case then this is unacceptable. Other people in this community have the right to play their sport at an affordable price. I think their is a lot more to this than meets the eye. As much as I support the club I fully support the retention of the playing fields for use by the community.

Chris, it's the Community Trust who are hoping to develop the new sports hub, not the club - they are run entirely independently of the club

sherry 12-03-2017 11:35

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by AccyMad (Post 1189691)
Chris, it's the Community Trust who are hoping to develop the new sports hub, not the club - they are run entirely independently of the club

The Accrington Stanley Community Trust (Registered Charity) web site is a real eye opener as to its wide involvement and varying range of provision of activities offered across Hyndburn and even Rossendale.

Exile on Spencer St 12-03-2017 13:18

Re: Sports Hub!
 
The reason schools and others are turning to 4G pitches is precisely because they can be used so much more intensively than grass. But both have to be paid for by those using them. As soon as one 4G game ends, another can start. That's not always the case with grass.
I know there's been lots of work done there but, from my memories of using Highams, it was often a water-logged mud bath in the football season. In later years, I was disappointed to look over Highams from my parents' house to see just how few games were ever being played there.
Every time there's a planning application there's a petition from the immediate neighbours who don't want 'their' view or environment to change. It's perfectly understandable human reaction, and we'd all sign it if the Hub was being built across the road from our house.
But surely ladies teams are precisely the ones that the Community Trust could and would be seeking to foster on a 4G pitch.

maccawozzagod 12-03-2017 13:37

Re: Sports Hub!
 
The ladies play on the Livingstone Road ground (behind accy end). They used to ground share withe Accy Amateurs but the Ams left, leaving the ladies to pay the rent entirely on their own. They were offered new kits and use of the new facility but they still voted to remain at the ground paying the rent themselves.

Unless they can be shown the light there probably isnt a lot can be done. They have a lease and they don't want to relinquish it.

Building anywhere else seems silly

Lord Didsbury 12-03-2017 14:41

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Relocating to Cheshire might be a good idea. Who's there at the moment? Macclesfield? Surely we could plonk ourselves in the golden triangle of alderley/wilmsliw/knutsford. £500 for season tickets could fly out if we get it right. And yes, that means decent modern posh pies.

It would also serve as a massive thumbs up to the locals that never go, plus a lot of BBC staff live there and could be our new wave of celeb fans. Imagine sitting next to Holly Willoughby (in your heated seat) rather than boring old bumble?

I'd miss the long drive to Accrington of course, and the bonus of seeing my parents, but being back in time for final score would be some small compensation.

DAV007 12-03-2017 17:58

Re: Sports Hub!
 
the borough of hydburn is not that big (geographically)
there is no reason the club couldn't retain its name and just be outside the borough working in partnership with a council that appreciates the profile a football league club brings.

Time to ditch hydburn council once and for all

Exile on Spencer St 12-03-2017 18:33

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Let's not get ahead of things. It wasn't the Borough Council which organised the petition. One local Councillor, who understandably feels the need to back the more vociferous of his electorate, does not equate to the Council being obstructive.
I suppose Stanley could ask Blackburn or Burnley if they'd like another league club, ask Ribble Valley if it has some spare land in the AONB, or beg those cash-rich neighbours in Rossendale to find a couple of hectares of flat land.
Let's wait and see what decision is taken, if it comes to that.

MikeA 12-03-2017 21:46

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Didsbury (Post 1189704)
Relocating to Cheshire might be a good idea.

It would be closer to home for me as well but Little Budworth Stanley somehow doesn't have that ring to it...

maccawozzagod 13-03-2017 07:50

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeA (Post 1189725)
It would be closer to home for me as well but Little Budworth Stanley somehow doesn't have that ring to it...

Poynton case?

DAV007 14-03-2017 06:59

Re: Sports Hub!
 
http://1mc8511ob3uc397k3v2p939j.wpen...otest-sign.jpg

Shurm 15-03-2017 13:33

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Sounds like a good thing for various reasons obviously living across the road from Highams I would prefer it to go on Livingston Road :D. We lost the use of Highams for nearly 2 years recently whilst all the levelling was going on and recently we've had a new housing estate built at the back of us so I think most people round Thorneyholme area are probably a bit wary of anything else happening.

Like I said it sounds like it should be of value to the town I suppose people just don't want it on their doorstep :rolleyes:

Chrisr 15-03-2017 17:46

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DAV007 (Post 1189683)
the club need to give serious consideration to leaving the hydburn council boundary

Dav, as much as you dislike Hyndburn Council I think people should be reminded that if it was not for the local Council, Stanley would have ceased to be. The council helped with low rent and everything else it could do at the time. The council of the day and I include all parties were in full support of the club. I do get disappointed when I hear people besmirching the local council for their efforts. They are in a different place today with different rules.

While the cost of using playing fields and sports facilities are all rising thanks to councils budget reductions. The fields used by the ladies which has seen a dramatic rent rise should not automatically be given over to the Stanley trust. This is public space as well and we have to respect that. As for the usual bad comments about residents around livingstone rd. complaining I would also suggest that people living across from the crown have put up with inconvenience at every match and would have every right to complain about the traffic nuisance. The point is they have not. Stanley has to get on with it's neighbours and in general we do. A feasibility study will only come back with a yes answer because the land is currently being used for the same purpose. The big worry would be an environmental impact study. I am convinced that with the right people negotiating with the current users could achieve an acceptable compromise for all parties. Good will can move these obstacles but I fear some arrogance maybe the stumbling block.

baldy 27-03-2017 10:01

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Update...

Council back study into possible £2million community hub in Accrington (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Neil 27-03-2017 10:35

Re: Sports Hub!
 
It's just Council speak for ignoring Cllr Malcolm Pritchard and still looking into the possible use of Highams as they decided before. Of course the Council want to look into it because they want to offload their land onto someone else to reduce Council costs.

maccawozzagod 27-03-2017 23:54

Re: Sports Hub!
 
and we'll be happy to conduct our civic duty ...

odders 28-03-2017 09:41

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by maccawozzagod (Post 1191081)
and we'll be happy to conduct our civic duty ...

And hopefully some new blood and another generation of Stanley faithful ;)

st06nc2 06-04-2017 10:08

Re: Sports Hub!
 
https://democracy.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/...binet.pdf?T=10

Council report for sports hub, it seems the club already lead the livingstone road playing fields but would have to give up the lease for the community trust to build on it

maccawozzagod 06-04-2017 11:17

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by st06nc2 (Post 1191708)
https://democracy.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/...binet.pdf?T=10

Council report for sports hub, it seems the club already lead the livingstone road playing fields but would have to give up the lease for the community trust to build on it


Not true, the land is leased to Accrington Football and Sports Club - which isnt Accrington Stanley. THEY must voluntarily surrender the lease before consideration can be given to the venue.

AFSC have, I believe, been offered a number of incentives to do this but after a vote opted to decline. I also believe that said vote was not taken in under the truest of conditions as those who knew of the multiple incentives had not delivered the full picture to everyone involved. This led to a number of resignations. How much is true, and to what extent, I dont know but that is the prelude as to why the Trust have had to look at other less suitable venues

Neil 06-04-2017 16:32

Re: Sports Hub!
 
The trust should be looking at land not currently in use so they will be creating more sports provision not just altering what is currently available and making it less accessible to the public

AccyMad 06-04-2017 16:48

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil (Post 1191745)
The trust should be looking at land not currently in use so they will be creating more sports provision not just altering what is currently available and making it less accessible to the public

Maybe they have done that, I would imagine they haven't just stuck a pin in a map of Hyndburn & gone with it - I'm sure a lot of thought & research has gone into finding the most suitable location for everybody.

maccawozzagod 06-04-2017 16:59

Re: Sports Hub!
 
£2m sounds a lot of money, but I bet it isnt if they have to start repurposing land to be fit for purpose

Neil 06-04-2017 18:40

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by maccawozzagod (Post 1191753)
£2m sounds a lot of money, but I bet it isnt if they have to start repurposing land to be fit for purpose

It also sounds wrong to cover over current pitches with 3g ones but until we see the plans we won't know what going on properly.

Exile on Spencer St 06-04-2017 18:59

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil (Post 1191764)
It also sounds wrong to cover over current pitches with 3g ones....

But 4G (3G is just so 2016?) pitches can be used many times more each week than grass, so more people can play more games, and not just footie.

st06nc2 06-04-2017 19:19

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Exile on Spencer St (Post 1191766)
But 4G (3G is just so 2016?) pitches can be used many times more each week than grass, so more people can play more games, and not just footie.

4G pitches will be able to be used when it's been raining for weeks it won't be a bog, one of the main points in the report out to the council one of the upsides will be the chance for more young children to use the pitches thus reducing the amount of fat kids

monkey hanger 07-04-2017 08:15

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by st06nc2 (Post 1191770)
4G pitches will be able to be used when it's been raining for weeks it won't be a bog, one of the main points in the report out to the council one of the upsides will be the chance for more young children to use the pitches thus reducing the amount of fat kids

a lot depends on how much is charged for the use of all weather pitches. around my neck of the woods in the sunday league about 6 teams used em last season but this season its zero. the cost of hiring nearly doubled. i know they have to get their money back as they only have about a 10 year lifespan. if it was a cycle track money wouldn,t have come into it.

Neil 07-04-2017 09:31

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by st06nc2 (Post 1191770)
4G pitches will be able to be used when it's been raining for weeks it won't be a bog, one of the main points in the report out to the council one of the upsides will be the chance for more young children to use the pitches thus reducing the amount of fat kids

You don't reduce the number of fat kids by them playing a bit of football, you reduce fat kids by educating parents how to feed their children correctly.

You can build a 4G pitch on top of almost anything, you don't need to waste currently available green space for that

Neil 07-04-2017 09:33

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by monkey hanger (Post 1191795)
a lot depends on how much is charged for the use of all weather pitches. around my neck of the woods in the sunday league about 6 teams used em last season but this season its zero. the cost of hiring nearly doubled. i know they have to get their money back as they only have about a 10 year lifespan. if it was a cycle track money wouldn,t have come into it.

The Council have been told they will charge no more than the council currently charges so the current users won't loose out.

I can't see that happening as the Trust will need to make money to cover costs so I hope that's tied into the contract with the council

baldy 07-04-2017 19:46

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil (Post 1191801)
The Council have been told they will charge no more than the council currently charges so the current users won't loose out.

I can't see that happening as the Trust will need to make money to cover costs so I hope that's tied into the contract with the council

Wouldn't make sense to charge more than the council, You do that and it will remain empty, which is no good for anyone!

A 3G/4G means there is a facility to use all year round when the weather turns bad!

I can understand people's argument that it's using green land but most times I pass Highams it's either empty or very few people on it apart from dog walkers and Playing Fields are designed for sports to be played!...Just my opinion!

Shurm 07-04-2017 20:31

Re: Sports Hub!
 
You should try parking on Thorneyholme on Saturday and Sunday mornings its packed and most nights during the week kids are having training sessions on there. It does seem to have become a kids football ground with smaller pitches etc but its still used by adults for cricket and rugby. Its probably used more than King Georges, White Ash and Bullough Park I would say.

Shurm 13-07-2017 18:58

Re: Sports Hub!
 
And the winner is Highams no surprise really it's in the Observer today, better plant a few horse chestnuts at the front as well :rolleyes:

baldy 13-07-2017 19:54

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Backing from the "local residents" too...

Laneside Residents Association Support Higham?s Sports Hub Plans | Accrington Stanley Community Trust

KiTChener 13-07-2017 22:20

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Shurm (Post 1197342)
And the winner is Highams no surprise really it's in the Observer today, better plant a few horse chestnuts at the front as well :rolleyes:

Who owns the field between Highams & the day centre?

Seems to have been disused in the 20yrs I have lived locally.

Was away from area for previous 10yrs, but when we lived on Moss Hall Road, approx 1978-86, there was no fence between the two fields, & we had access to the whole area.

Maybe that field may be a better option?

sherry 13-07-2017 23:33

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by KiTChener (Post 1197350)
Who owns the field between Highams & the day centre?

Seems to have been disused in the 20yrs I have lived locally.

Was away from area for previous 10yrs, but when we lived on Moss Hall Road, approx 1978-86, there was no fence between the two fields, & we had access to the whole area.

Maybe that field may be a better option?

I believe that area is owned by Lancashire County Council.

baldy 14-07-2017 11:32

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by sherry (Post 1197352)
I believe that area is owned by Lancashire County Council.

Apparently that land is being "kept aside just incase we need to build a nursery/school"

Not sure the point in keeping it fence off for atleast the time being!

Exile on Spencer St 14-07-2017 11:48

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by baldy (Post 1197368)
Apparently that land is being "kept aside just incase we need to build a nursery/school"

Not sure the point in keeping it fence off for atleast the time being!

Quite simple; same reason people fence their garden.
If it's not secured people will use it as a dog toilet or a caravan park and, if they do that for long enough, they can then claim it's public open space, or a 'village green' whenever LCC finally decides it wants to build something.

sherry 14-07-2017 18:39

Re: Sports Hub!
 
The day centre was originally a nursery. :eek:

The land has been open once, years ago, to accommodate a circus when HBC declined to.

Shurm 16-07-2017 07:02

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by baldy (Post 1197347)

No one seems to have asked any of my neighbours about it and no one I've spoke to is keen on the idea of losing the playing fields. It's got to be one of the last green areas in town you can play sports on with your friends, walk your dog, fly your drone (seen plenty of people doing this with children) and just chilling on the grass on a nice day or sledging when the snow comes :)

Seems such a shame after spending 2 years draining it and levelling it to probably fencing it off to the public unless you pay to use it !!

Just wish Livingstone Rd had been considered but in the Observer it was just mentioned it couldn't be used so it was always going to be Highams all along.

Money talks unfortunately and I feel this decision was made a long time ago I just hope this does work out when built. Moorhead round the corner has 3G/4G pitches with floodlights and the Sports Centre has them just how many more does the area need ? Could this new facilty not have been incorporated into the Sports Centre as I'm sure it could do with the investment rather than removing a green area from town.

st06nc2 16-07-2017 09:06

Re: Sports Hub!
 
https://twitter.com/n88ckd/status/886487977387491328

maccawozzagod 16-07-2017 09:15

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Shurm, you wont get any 'official' response on here but Martin Fearon does reply, on behalf of the Community Trust, on the Hyndburn Chat page on Facebook.

I like to get involved and defend the project on there mainly because of the nature of the objectors. Even when the project was first discussed it attracted naysayers who hadnt the slightest clue about what was involved, it was just a flat 'nay' from them. As time elapsed they managed to remember the odd snippet of fact that someone else had told them, so this then became the mainstay of their argument.

The over riding fact at the moment is that the public have not seen any plans as to how big the project is going to be, therefore how much space will be taken up. I believe the budget is £2m. Rob Heys quoted a few years ago that a 4g pitch would cost in the region of £500k to install - in that case there will only be a maximum of 3 pitches, 1 set of buildings and 1 small car park. It wouldn't take up the entire area so dogs and drones can still be safely aired

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shurm (Post 1197496)
No one seems to have asked any of my neighbours about it and no one I've spoke to is keen on the idea of losing the playing fields. It's got to be one of the last green areas in town you can play sports on with your friends, walk your dog, fly your drone (seen plenty of people doing this with children) and just chilling on the grass on a nice day or sledging when the snow comes :)

I couldnt say what has definitely happened but they have liaised with Laneside Residents Association. Surely anybody living in the area would know about the LRA, if not why not? It is far easier to liaise with 1 group than spend weeks knocking on every door and having 2 hour discussions at every stop? The LRA are backing the project.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shurm (Post 1197496)
Seems such a shame after spending 2 years draining it and levelling it to probably fencing it off to the public unless you pay to use it !!

Again, at this stage nobody knows whether any of the public space will be left available. But I believe that the money spent on draining it hasn't been entirely successful and the pitches still churn up and hold surface water. Local league games were still called off last season to a similar level to previous years.

My lad currently pays subs of £3 a session but we were told that prices were going to go up to £20 a month due to the council charges for pitch usage rising disproportionately.

When I've played on the 4g pitches (7 a side) the cost has been £3 each. The ASCT has made money on that price AND the owner of the pitch has made money on that price. That suggests to me that replacing the flooded public pitches with privately owned (registered chairty) synthetic ones is a better use of space? Games would always take place with no fixture backlog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shurm (Post 1197496)
Just wish Livingstone Rd had been considered but in the Observer it was just mentioned it couldn't be used so it was always going to be Highams all along.

Livingstone Road is leased to Accrington Girls and Ladies. They were asked if they would be willing to surrender the lease in return for various incentives, including use of the pitch, coming under the AS umbrella, proper training facilities etc - but they refused. Again only my impression not 100% fact, but the rumour was that only some committee members were aware of the incentives and withheld full disclosure until after the vote to refuse had been taken. Numerous long standing board members resigned off the back of it.

Had Livingstone Road been on the table there would be no problem and it would have been hugely to the advantage of the Football Club to have this on their doorstep. It wasn't on the table, nothing can be done, we move on.

Some people ask why it couldn't be done on the Power Station site for example. Simply put it is out of the way. This is a Community project and needs to be in a communal area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shurm (Post 1197496)
Money talks unfortunately and I feel this decision was made a long time ago I just hope this does work out when built. Moorhead round the corner has 3G/4G pitches with floodlights and the Sports Centre has them just how many more does the area need ? Could this new facilty not have been incorporated into the Sports Centre as I'm sure it could do with the investment rather than removing a green area from town.


This bit half annoys me. 10/12 years ago ASFC talked about building a 4g training pitch on site, it was refused by the Council as Moorhead had submitted plans, that would be passed, for a similar project.

It is true that only a finite number of these facilities are needed for our small town. However, ASFC currently pays money out to use these facilities. ASCT currently pays money out to use these facilities. The joint expense probably justifies a new build project on its own, The fact that activities could vastly increase with the new site rubber stamps it.




The problem with naysayers to me is that of validation. Why are they against it?

Local residents will be worried about;
noise pollution - already kids kicking about on there. already a train track running through
car parking - Thorneyholme Road is probably the widest road in the borough. Cars parked on both sides and still plenty of room for 2 cars to pass. A car park will be built so there will be LESS car parking issues.
Loss of public space - This is the only true argument in reality.

I've read people oppose it simply because it is Accrington Stanley. One comment was about a club that cant be trusted with money being in charge of a project like this!

The Community Trust really need to explain the difference between itself and the Football Club. They are 2 separate entities but one exists to complement the other. I would go so far as to say the Community Trust is probably bigger than the club - in terms of revenue, interaction, success and growth. This shouldn't be the case but it is. The CT money is no profit and has to go back in, they are a registered charity. The name itself suggests that it should be 'trustworthy'.

The last argument I read was within the confines of joint interest. Somebody was listing that trustees of the Trust were registered as board members of the Football Club. True, but that's fairly obviously going to be the case is it not?

If anybody really wants to know just how successful the Trust has been at interacting with the community then I suggest you visit the website ABOUT US | Accrington Stanley Community Trust for entire details.

But for those that dont here is a very brief resume of just the football teams, they also do so much more ...

Accrington Stanley Girls and Ladies teams
Mens and Ladies Walking Football teams for over 50's
Disabled Football team
All age group childrens football
Girls Premier League team
Futsal team


In addition to this they run the National Citizen Service for 16-18 year olds, they run courses on Health and Nutrition, Employability courses etc etc. The list goes on for what they do and are involved with. At the moment though they are running across multiple sites and can only benefit and grow by having their own base.

If this project was not headlined by ACCRINGTON STANLEY ... would it have the same level of opposition?

maccawozzagod 16-07-2017 09:23

Re: Sports Hub!
 
in the name of proportionate representation ... facebook page against the project https://www.facebook.com/savehighams...c_location=ufi

Exile on Spencer St 16-07-2017 15:41

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Good posts, Macca.
Thanks for taking the time and trouble to explain things in a reasonable manner to those of us not totally in the know. The Trust really do seem to be doing a great job.

Shurm 16-07-2017 18:26

Re: Sports Hub!
 
As far as I can see the Ladies Football Team need their heads banging together why would they not want to be part of ASFC and have all the benefits of that along with better facilities and it could all be on one site !!

We all know the ideal place for this is Livingstone Road right next to the Club and that land is used for nothing else but football, its madness to take away a green area from the community to make way for more football pitches.

When I played in the local league there was 4 Divisions and football was hugely popular now there is 1 Division and people do other things with their time and play and watch a multitude of other sports which Highams caters for with Rugby and Cricket also being played on there.

Its not just the site its Highams being out of bounds again for another 2 years whilst its all built which we had recently. Floodlights across from your house on till 10pm ? Increased traffic day and night won't be much fun either or safe for children as Thorneyholme is like a race track at times with some idiots.

I just don't want it on my doorstep and thats my personal view but its obvious its going to happen as The Council doesn't really give a toss about any residents but I hope enough people make a stand against this. The idea sounds good and I love the club and football just stick it on Bullough Park or King Georges :D

st06nc2 16-07-2017 19:07

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Shurm (Post 1197533)
As far as I can see the Ladies Football Team need their heads banging together why would they not want to be part of ASFC and have all the benefits of that along with better facilities and it could all be on one site !!

We all know the ideal place for this is Livingstone Road right next to the Club and that land is used for nothing else but football, its madness to take away a green area from the community to make way for more football pitches.

When I played in the local league there was 4 Divisions and football was hugely popular now there is 1 Division and people do other things with their time and play and watch a multitude of other sports which Highams caters for with Rugby and Cricket also being played on there.

Its not just the site its Highams being out of bounds again for another 2 years whilst its all built which we had recently. Floodlights across from your house on till 10pm ? Increased traffic day and night won't be much fun either or safe for children as Thorneyholme is like a race track at times with some idiots.

I just don't want it on my doorstep and thats my personal view but its obvious its going to happen as The Council doesn't really give a toss about any residents but I hope enough people make a stand against this. The idea sounds good and I love the club and football just stick it on Bullough Park or King Georges :D

Yes women want equal rights yet they refuse to share the men's facilities,I know where I'd rather train and play and it's not the livingstone road fields, floodlights on till 10pm, we have to put up with the new bright LED street lights all night can't send it being much brighter, nobody knows how it's going to look or how much space it's going to take up, there might still be abit of the playing fields left over for the public to use, nobody knows, until the designs are released to the public you just don't know

st06nc2 16-07-2017 19:33

Re: Sports Hub!
 
500k of public money is incorrect.
No sports hall is being built.
The drainage is terrible, ask the local leagues how many games have been called off in the last two years.
The play area will remain as part of the site with free open access.
Cricket and rugby will still be played.
HBC have introduced fees for teams wanting to play matches on all council sites as of this season.
We cannot expand our activities because all of the other sites are fully booked at peak times.
The council are not putting any funding into this development.

that is from Martin fearon himself

Shurm 16-07-2017 20:02

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Its happening anyway mate, lets just see the plans first to see how much we like or don't like it.

Dav1d 16-07-2017 20:54

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Great post by macca, I've learnt some information reading that post. Should be on Livingston road, I wouldn't be happy if it was across from the place I live. Understand why the residents are not happy, certainly as there isn't another grassy area around to walk dogs, take children etc.

cashman 16-07-2017 21:11

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Ah but are the residents committee not happy with it? I'm sure i read different to that.

st06nc2 16-07-2017 21:21

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Dav1d (Post 1197547)
Great post by macca, I've learnt some information reading that post. Should be on Livingston road, I wouldn't be happy if it was across from the place I live. Understand why the residents are not happy, certainly as there isn't another grassy area around to walk dogs, take children etc.

But the park area is still going to be free to access so they can still take their children there

NORTHERNSOUL 17-07-2017 03:56

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Amazes me that these people actually want councils to provide them with a place for their dogs to **** .

Simple answer if you dont have your own facilities dont get a bloody dog.

cashman 17-07-2017 08:02

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by NORTHERNSOUL (Post 1197558)
Amazes me that these people actually want councils to provide them with a place for their dogs to **** .

Simple answer if you dont have your own facilities dont get a bloody dog.

Seems simple people are on board.:rolleyes:

monkey hanger 17-07-2017 08:34

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by NORTHERNSOUL (Post 1197558)
Amazes me that these people actually want councils to provide them with a place for their dogs to **** .

Simple answer if you dont have your own facilities dont get a bloody dog.

take my dog to all stanley games home and away if its not hot. always find somewhere for him to go without any council made areas. just lazy dog owners who,d probebly want someone to exercise them for them. have owned vaious large dogs for over 40 years so if i can do it so can they.

cashman 17-07-2017 09:12

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by monkey hanger (Post 1197570)
take my dog to all stanley games home and away if its not hot. always find somewhere for him to go without any council made areas. just lazy dog owners who,d probebly want someone to exercise them for them. have owned vaious large dogs for over 40 years so if i can do it so can they.

Ignore yon mon theres idiots everywhere,:rolleyes:

Exile on Spencer St 17-07-2017 09:46

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by monkey hanger (Post 1197570)
...take my dog to all stanley games home and away if its not hot....

Your dog is a more committed fan than some on here.:rolleyes:

Lord Stiffupperlip 17-07-2017 19:59

Re: Sports Hub!
 
I guess Highams has always played a big part in my life.
Memories from boyhood 'day-long' footie games, which ended only with the setting sun, to taking part in school athletics sports days when every primary school in Accy competed for a trophy.
Later, in my teens, playing local combination soccer on waterlogged or frozen pitches in hail, rain & shine.
My nostalgic ramblings have a point, which is that as far back as I can remember, Highams was never anything other than 'playing fields'.
There's little doubt that the recent work has transformed the old Highams into a more practical venue for field sports but - is it being utilised to it's maximum potential?
I still cross Highams to get to the Wham for mid-week & Saturday games & for evening walks during summer.
You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I've actually seen any form of competitive match taking place.
What I do witness are a lot of irresponsible dog-walkers allowing their pets to roam (& defacate) freely.
Youths churning up the fields on dirt-bikes and families using it as a picnic spot, invariably leaving a mountain of litter behind them.
Reading some of the posts on here, you might imagine that Highams had become some sort of nature reserve for dog-walkers, rather than the sports field which is its main purpose.
I can't understand the local residents complaints about it being used as a sports hub? It's been fulfilling this role for donkey's years.
It's a bit like the residents of the recently built Whinney Hill estate complaining about developments at the Wham, when the ground was there long before a brick was laid on their house.

baldy 18-07-2017 08:43

Re: Sports Hub!
 
East Lancs Football Alliance now backing plans for the Sports Hub!

ELFA Support Higham?s Sports Hub Plans | Accrington Stanley Community Trust

st06nc2 19-07-2017 11:33

Re: Sports Hub!
 
http://www.stanleytrust.co.uk/update...-hub-proposal/

cashman 19-07-2017 12:03

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by st06nc2 (Post 1197671)

well seems to me if people went to the residents meeting they would be aware its a perfectly reasonable proposal.?:confused:

KiTChener 19-07-2017 20:28

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 1197672)
well seems to me if people went to the residents meeting they would be aware its a perfectly reasonable proposal.?:confused:

especially if the LCC land next door can become public open space... it has been underused for years!

Shurm 26-07-2017 18:55

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Just read the Ladies Football Team will use the Hub for training and matches so does that mean they will give up the lease on Livingstone Road ? The same lease they won't give up in order for that land to be developed as the Hub ??

Mr T 26-07-2017 19:31

Re: Sports Hub!
 
(sir) Martin;

New ladies team is being formed as existing Girls and Ladies are staying on Livingstone Road ( their choice)

Shurm 26-07-2017 22:36

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Ok that explains that then, what will the ladies on Livingstone be called ?

maccawozzagod 26-07-2017 23:32

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Livingstone Road mob are Accrington Girls and Ladies I think. The new team is Accrington Stanley

baldy 26-07-2017 23:37

Re: Sports Hub!
 
St Joesphs girls have merged to make Accrington Stanley Ladies who'll be playing on Highams

Accy ladies who already play on Livingstone Road are a different club!

Shurm 27-07-2017 08:29

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Oh right I always thought they had something to do with Stanley didnt realise they were totally independent all makes a bit more sense now.

AccyMad 08-08-2017 10:15

Re: Sports Hub!
 
I've received a flyer through my door this morning about a public meeting - headline is 'Save Highams playing fields for public use', it's being held at St. Joseph's church hall next Wednesday at 6.30.
It states that the meeting has been arranged with HBC & Commnity Trust representatives to discuss the proposals - all well & good except the Trust have NOT been invited, just wonder if this has been done so they can then say that the Trust's representatives couldn't be bothered to turn up??
Wasn't surprised that the name at the bottom of the flyer is Councillor Malcolm Pritchard :rolleyes:

cashman 08-08-2017 10:39

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Nowt that man does would surprise me.:rolleyes:

maccawozzagod 08-08-2017 10:58

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Hopefully I'll attend, just for a bit of balance ;-)

AccyMad 08-08-2017 12:50

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Was thinking of going, just to hear what's being said - could be interesting

Reamer 08-08-2017 14:27

Re: Sports Hub!
 
1 Attachment(s)
I've also received the flyer which I've scanned and attached. Malcolm Pritchard is our local councillor but I have to say, from my experience he's not interested in the larger community, just the bits that impact on him. Just my opinion

cashman 08-08-2017 14:38

Re: Sports Hub!
 
If i said my piece to Pritchard i would be ejected.no doubt at all so i will not go near the place.

AccyMad 08-08-2017 15:54

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Still remember Eric Whalley asking him to vacate the clubhouse (not his exact words of course) :)

KiTChener 08-08-2017 16:49

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 1199024)
If i said my piece to Pritchard i would be ejected.no doubt at all so i will not go near the place.

C'mon, Cashy, why not think like Macca, & attend for a bit of balance!

Living nearby, & using Highams on a daily basis,(sorry, Northern Soul, it is to excercise my dogs, & a by-product is that they also cr4p, but, as a responsible citizen, I do clean up!), also being an admirer of what the trust is achieving, I have mixed feelings about this proposal.... I tend to agree with others, that Livingstone road should be the preferred option, maybe it is not too late to convince the current leaseholders that this could also be to their advantage?

I have read & re-read this thread, to try & get a better feel of people's opinions, also read all the comments on the on-line petition, yet, I am still unsure, which is why I intend, as an interested resident, to attend this meeting, &, hopefully, hear both sides of the argument, providing both camps attend!

Hopefully see some of you there! I shall wear my Stanley top with my name on the back, so, please introduce yourself!

KiTChener 08-08-2017 16:55

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by AccyMad (Post 1199027)
Still remember Eric Whalley asking him to vacate the clubhouse (not his exact words of course) :)

That's probably because he is a Burnley supporter through n through, (despite living in Accy for almost all his life, & expecting the rest of us to keep him in office!) & yet would never say no to a freebie at the Crown!

EW had him sussed!!

monkey hanger 09-08-2017 09:45

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by KiTChener (Post 1199033)
That's probably because he is a Burnley supporter through n through, (despite living in Accy for almost all his life, & expecting the rest of us to keep him in office!) & yet would never say no to a freebie at the Crown!

EW had him sussed!!

a councillor and a freebie go hand in hand like fish and chips. not just in accrington but anywhere in the country.

KiTChener 15-08-2017 21:09

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Just 'bumping' this up, to remind anyone who is interested of the 'Public Meeting' at 6:30 tomorrow at St, Joseph's Church Hall.

Wonder if anyone from ASCT will attend?
The flyer received said they would, but Acc Obs last week said they denied all knowledge of the meeting!!

Hopefully a good turnout, whether for or against.

baldy 15-08-2017 21:49

Re: Sports Hub!
 
They have said ASCT will be turning up without inviting them!

So they could turn round and say "They couldn't even be bothered to turn up to the meeting"

maccawozzagod 15-08-2017 21:51

Re: Sports Hub!
 
Martin Fearon has repeatedly said that they arent interested in public meetings until the full proposal is prepares. Besides which, he's on holiday I believe!

Shurm 16-08-2017 06:01

Re: Sports Hub!
 
This is the kind of meeting the Trust should have organised before putting flyers through people's letter boxes basically saying what was going to happen by the time the full proposal is prepared it will be passed we all know that.


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