New Ground

[Bay Dolphin]

I read in the Morecambe Visitor yesterday that plans are well advanced for Morecambe FC to move to a new "multi-million pound ground" in good time for the 2010-2011 season. It wasn't clear how it will be financed but a local newspaper person told me that they will "asset strip" the existing ground on a plum town centre site. On tonight's Granada TV Reports I heard that Everton are hoping to move to a £400,000,000 new ground (and Liverpool too possibly).
Even Morecambe's proposals, which the local council have already approved, are heady stuff compared to the modest PTFC scheme for Branksome Rec. Morecambe are moving from a 'brownfield location' to a 'greenfield site' and moving a local amateur team out of the way in the process. There were only 16 objectors and they have been over-ridden!
I wonder how far advanced the Branksome plan is now and I wonder if it falls whether an 'out-of-town' alternative could be identified.

[dave2]

The next level for Poole is Level 4 cat E. The ground grading requirements are given on the FA website.

I reproduce two of the pages related to the ground and fencing requirements and car parking etc below.
1.3 Capacity
The Stadium must have a minimum safe capacity of 1,000, calculated by a competent person in accordance with the guidance given in the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds.
1.4 Boundary of Ground
The ground must be enclosed by a permanent boundary, which will prevent individuals from viewing the game from outside the ground. The boundary must be of sound construction, such as pre cast concrete, brick, breeze block or metal cladding with steel or concrete posts and be of a minimum height of 1.83 metres as measured from outside the ground.
Whilst lapped timber, latch panel wood fences and wire mesh fences with wooden posts might be acceptable, hedges, shrubs and/or trees will not normally be accepted.
Where one side of the ground is formed of private land / property, the fixed boundary of that private land / property may be acceptable as the boundary of the ground.
1.5 Clubhouse '
There must be a clubhouse facility either on or adjacent to the ground and which should be open on match days to provide refreshments to spectators.
1.6 Car Parking
There should be adequate car parking facilities at or adjacent to the ground. Car parking within the boundary of the ground may not be acceptable.
1.7 Pitch Perimeter Barrier
Subject to the provisions detailed below, there must be a permanent fixed barrier 1.1 m high, of sound construction (eg concrete and steel) and free from all sharp edges, surrounding the pitch on all sides that may be occupied by spectators. Existing barriers/rails not at 1.1m high may be acceptable, provided they meetthe requirements set out in 1.7 of the Appendix.
The barrier, if other than solid wall type of construction, may be infilled so that the ball cannot pass through or under it. Advertising boards are acceptable as a means of infill.
There must be a minimum of 1.83 metres between the touchline, goal line and the pitch perimeter barrier. NB for Grade A (The Football Conference National) a minimum of 2.25 metres is required.
A barrier need not be erected on any side not open to the public.
Immediately in front of an area of seated accommodation the boundary of the playing area may be indicated by means other than a permanent fixed barrier provided the Club is able to provide assurances that no spectator will be allowed to stand in this area to watch the match.
Where there is a walkway in front of a standing terrace which is itserf fronted by a crush barrier that has been subject to an annual risk assessment and, if necessary, tested, an alternative to a fixed barrier (e.g. A-frames) may be used, provided no spectators are allowed to stand in this area to watch the match. The Club must implement a safety management system to ensure this and also to protect the integrity of the playing area.
(See also Appendix)

August 07

1.12 Floodlighting
Floodlights must be provided to an average lux reading of 120. No single reading can be less than one quarter of the highest reading so as to ensure an even spread of light.
Reading shall be on a grid of 88 markings evenly spaced with the outside readings falling on the pitch boundary line. The average of all the readings is taken to be the average illumination level in lux of the floodlighting installation.
The certificate must have been issued no more than six months prior to the application.
An "approved" contractor is one which is in possession of the NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) Approved Contractors' award or ISO 9000/BS 5750 (International Standards Organisation/British Standard) or is a member of the Electrical Contractors' Association.
The contractor must, when detailing the lux values, gives confirmation in writing of the date when the illumination test equipment used was last calibrated.
When newer improved installations are being planned, an average lux reading of 180 should be provided.
1.13 Public Address System
A public address system must be provided which is clearly audible in all those areas of the ground which can be occupied by spectators.
1.14 Entrances
There must be at least 2 spectator entrances to control the ingress of spectators. These must be controlled by fully operational turnstiles of the revolving type and must be suitably housed and lit. Adequate protection for the turnstile operator must be incorporated.
It must be possible to gain access to the spectator viewing areas from the turnstiles via a bound surface to a
minimum width of 1 metre.
1.15 Exits
The location and number of ground exits must be approved by a competent person and comply with the requirements of the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds.
There must be access via a bound surface to all exits from the nearest spectator viewing areas.
All exits must be clearly signed, ideally with "running man" signs, and are to be kept clear and free from obstructions.
1.16 Lighting (See Appendix)
1.17 Adjoining Pitches
Where deemed that they are likely to interfere with the playing of a match, ball games must not be played on adjoining pitches whilst a match is in progress.
1.18 Emergency Access
Access must be provided for the emergency services and maintained free from obstruction.

August 07

[Bay Dolphin]

Thanks dave2 but what concerned me when I raised this was how easy it seems to be for other teams to get a new ground - Weymouth is another example. How do they afford it? I wonder if the council is still on our side and what stage we are at with Branksone Rec. And if we finish top (early days I know) can the management assure us (as they did last season) that Tatnam can be improved enough to pass the necessary ground grading for Step 4?