It seems to have gone on forever, but it appears now that my hometown club Margate FC could be on the brink of losing everything, including the Club itself.
Yes, it may sound extreme but the prospect of losing the Club that I have followed massively for the past 12 years is not one I fancy seeing.
Redevelpoment of Hartsdown Park was something the club looked to do as success on the pitch rapidly saw 'The Blues' rise to 8th in their first season in the Conference National, even sitting top for a week in early September 2003.
However that was nine years ago and it seems to have gone downhill even quicker than the success arrived. Groundsharing at Dover and Ashford become the norm, meaning a 40 mile round trip for a home game, all the while the redevelopment stood still.
Council meetings came and went and still there was no news on a start date. Eventually 'The Gate' moved home in 2006, but to a temperary build, or so we thought.
Almost five years on and still the club has portercabins for changing rooms and minimal seating at their Hartsdown Park 'home'. It looked as though the development was set to begin in March 2011 after the club was given full planning permission from the local Council.
The club however after requesting an ammendment to the plans to reduce the Travelodge hotel from 80 rooms to 69 to keep the hotel firm happy, were then told they would have to submit a full revised set of plans- delaying the development even further.
The club is currently fighting this order from the Council, however a petition from local residents protesting against any development signed by around 550 residents isn't help their case.
In response Margate FC currently has its own petition on line to show the Council that the development is wanted by far more people than those who dont want to see the club get their new home.
At a open meeting on Wednesday evening, the Developers and Chairman of the club stated that should they be forced to submit further plans then they simply wouldn't do it, leaving the club on the brink of collapse.
Here is the link to the on-line petition from Margate FC should any of you sympathise with the clubs position and wish to show your support for yet another troubled Non-League side.
http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/petition/margate-football-club-development/2452
It fills me with great sadness that the Council appear to be killing off something in the town that offers so much excitement and joy to so many in the area on a Saturday afternoon.....especially when the town offers so little as it is.
Let me know what you think. Do you sympathise with the Club? Has your club ever been in a similar position?
Well coming from Brighton where they've been homeless since i was 5 years old or something and playing games either in Gillingham or at an athletics stadium which is also my local gym! But as this season has shown things can change, with the new stadium on the way it has inspired the team to top League one this season. Things can change quickly in football!
ReplyDeleteRyan, the important thing you have not recognised is the impact the demise or removal of the club entirely has on the local community. Yes, losing the football club would effect supporters, but it's so much deeper and wider reaching than that. Since 2008 the club has enjoyed hosting a Playing for Success Centre, that helps school children with their English and Maths - hasn't your sister been through here? This would disappear as well, meaning that the 1500 students that have benefitted wouldn't any longer. Also the club allow FREE community use of the pitches. Without this development the pitches will be sold to a commercial contractor who will stop this, meaning children in thanet wouldn't be able to use these facilities. Phew, sorry rant over - not aimed at yourself, more TDC.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, when people are signing the petition it's important they leave their name AND ADDRESS!!! Without this the name is discounted at the council, could you provide people with your address so they could use this?
Just some ideas
You are absolutely spot on, at the time of writing this article I was writing it with my heart and not my head.
ReplyDeleteI try and steer clear of many Margate FC topics for this very reason.
However in this instance you are right that I massively undermined how much losing the Club would effect the supporters but like you mention a thousend school kids that use the facilities at Margate FC.
I as much as any supporter would love to see the ground development go ahead, however it's no longer just Margate FC that need it- Margate as a COMMUNITY needs it.