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Post by anne on Feb 11, 2015 11:12:46 GMT
Well what can I say the plans would be good for a council run site running the bar , letting out the facilities, renting out the pitches ect but not for three separate clubs .
How on earth can three separate clubs generate enough income to pay the rent and pay for players and staff and insurance ect
and from the unfriendly attitude of the walton casual people behind there bar slagging of walton and Hersham supporters who asked questions and voiced disapproval like having to go thought the changing rooms to access lifts up to the bar, or having to leave the ground to acess the lift from outside the gate.
So supporters would be going through the same doors as players at half time ?
As for sharing or blending teams from the attitude I saw last night they want the new facilities (and who can blame them )
but not us apparently were to far up our on backsides was the comment I heard last night such a lovely welcome
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Post by pompeyswan on Feb 11, 2015 12:46:25 GMT
Typical walton casuals!!
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Post by johnyswan on Feb 11, 2015 13:14:19 GMT
I found the officials of The Casuals to be receptive and happy to discuss the proposed new ground. I also understand that both clubs had some input in design although I am sure whether certain parties will probably refute this.
Lets just move on with this now and resign ourselves to the fact we are sadly leaving The Lane and look to the future in a positive way, because that is the only way forward, if we are ever going to experience success again.
My only concern is The Bar facility as no one quite knows the outcome there although it was said last night that there is documentation in place stating the clubs will run the bar etc. How that works with the athletic club is vague.
Perhaps the council are manoeuvring things in such away that they will run the bar.
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Post by anne on Feb 11, 2015 16:25:22 GMT
I wonder if they would be so happy to chat if they were moving and the development was on our site
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Post by johnyswan on Feb 11, 2015 16:57:43 GMT
I would like to think that they would be up for it, as long as it guaranteed their future and a better environment/facilities than they have at present. Sadly The Waterside offers a better opportunity all round, as there is space to accommodate additional pitches on site for youth/junior games, one of the pitches with floodlights and a bar/function room for seniors/reserves/youth to meet after on training nights. Also perhaps with hot food for the players.
I have been at The Lane for 46 years and as sad as it would be to move The Casuals ground/development is by far a better option subject to transport and control of the bar.
Also, what ever happens amalgamation is on the cards. Plus, if we did have success on the pitch at Waterside there is space to extend the capacity further.
Finally, I would like to see additional senior members on the board as well, to enhance ideas, energy and direction.
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Post by observer on Feb 11, 2015 17:14:03 GMT
Very well summed up Anne
The "consultation" turned out to be four boards with very nicely creative drawings of how Waterside Drive might look if all goes ahead. In among them were a collection of bright young thrusting architects, engineers and PRs and Walton Casuals people who (I can't blame them ) looked rather smug about the prospect
I think anyone expecting the project to start in July could be disappointed however.
The final full Council decision is not expected until July, after which there could be appeals – so I see an August start as being a tad premature. Let alone for the settlement of the Covenant orders on the ground that coukl see a further £1million bill for Elmbridge Borough Council.
Now please excuse me if you think I am a teaser, but I do hope you will visit this site tomorrow (Thursday) evening and try an get a copy of the Surrey Advertiser on friday. Those of you who believe the battle is totally lost might find you have been at least a bit previous.
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Post by johnyswan on Feb 11, 2015 17:14:36 GMT
Correction......55 years !!
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Post by johnyswan on Feb 11, 2015 17:33:08 GMT
Sorry to continue the debate as I am sure you have had enough hearing from me...But..............If we are to grow as a "Club in The Community" having the additional facilities on site at The Waterside is, to me,is an obvious way forward. There are far, far more benefits as a football club to leave The Lane and embrace a new beginning.
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Post by Rob on Feb 11, 2015 18:06:57 GMT
Correction......55 years !! How time fly's |
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Post by pompeyswan on Feb 11, 2015 18:21:06 GMT
If there was a merger then I would have to have a long think about weather I would support the merged team.
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Post by Rob on Feb 11, 2015 20:05:47 GMT
If there was a merger then I would have to have a long think about weather I would support the merged team. Really, why would you not? |
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Post by 1066swan on Feb 11, 2015 23:30:53 GMT
If there was a merger then I would have to have a long think about weather I would support the merged team. Really, why would you not? For me, because it wouldn't be the team that I've followed for 50 odd years. And Walton Casuals... I still think of them as a parks team playing in Elm Grove rec. And it would be like a bereavement, losing the ground - I still think with nostalgia of the halftime ham rolls from the old tea bar, of crowds behind the goals for big games, the turnstile from Hersham Road for large crowds. I remember teenage early exploration: anyone go to the games at Leeds & Carnegie College or that place over Bristol way whose name I can't remember - St George? It could never be the same, and I think it might be time to wish good luck to those fans staying on, and to quietly walk away. Because really, you can only ever truly madly deeply support one team. |
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Post by johnyswan on Feb 12, 2015 9:04:20 GMT
I am totally there with 1066swan in remembering the 1960's years with the canteen in the corner of the ground, the green wooden stand and the dark grey cinder track. Our run in the Amateur cup when we beat Cleveland at home 10-0 scoring some 30-40 goals that season in that cup run up to our defeat at West Auckland in the quarter final. (One of 6 quarter finals and 3 semi finals the Swans played in during our various attempts to win it from 1945. The wonderful Don Stocker was the manager before the magnificent years of A. Batsford.
Days and memories of past that we who experienced will forever treasure but they are memories and in order to move forward with a sound structure we have to say good bye to that successful club and re adjust to perhaps a new home and a new heartbeat in the local football world with modern day facilities and other pitches adjoining the main arena so we do truly get a Football centre where the young players of the future can mix with the semi pros on training nights and in the bar/canteen after match days.
It really would be a football community rather than the isolation of Stompond Lane with just the 1 pitch. It would be a sad/tearful day leaving The Lane but also a rosy future for the younger fans that may be attracted to match days.
One thing is for sure each and every one of us wants what is best for the club but many have different ideas of how to achieve it.
Also,We do need fresh blood injected into the club and not left in the control of one individual.
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Post by fred on Feb 12, 2015 10:55:57 GMT
Ah yes, I well remember the glory days, not only the 60's but also the magical Batsford era! We were one of the leading lights in Non League football then! We regularly got 2 or 3 thousand gates for just league matches in those days, BUT the world has dramatically changed now! Sadly, its all about available money resources now, as can be seen following the farcical amounts thrown at the premiership just recently not for the benefit of soccer generally but to line the pockets of overseas players and their agents! Meanwhile lower leagues and teams are struggling to survive and quite a few non league teams have disappeared.
These days fans are spoon fed live soccer at the press of a button, no need for them to venture out on a cold or wet day/night to support a local side and they can apparently cheerfully ignore their local team when they are having a bad run of results!
The apparent ground share with Walton Casuals carries a wide range of problems, 2 clubs sharing the same ground is not easy, nor the matter of bar takings and bar control! The council have always been hell bent on kicking us away from Stompond Lane purely due to the antagonistic attitude of one particular councillor whose only motivation seems to be the financial reward obtainable from the sale of the Stompond Lane site for housing, not just ordinary housing either, but prestigious dwellings which attract millions of £. Meanwhile the snooty tennis club is considered ok to remain whilst the athletics club and ourselves are forced out!
What would be great is if the hideous boarding panels closing off our stand could be moved across to Esher and used to board off the council offices instead, for if anyone deserves to be kicked out it surely is those money obsessed cretins that form the local council!!!
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Post by mike on Feb 12, 2015 17:50:49 GMT
Really, why would you not? For me, because it wouldn't be the team that I've followed for 50 odd years. And Walton Casuals... I still think of them as a parks team playing in Elm Grove rec. And it would be like a bereavement, losing the ground - I still think with nostalgia of the halftime ham rolls from the old tea bar, of crowds behind the goals for big games, the turnstile from Hersham Road for large crowds. I remember teenage early exploration: anyone go to the games at Leeds & Carnegie College or that place over Bristol way whose name I can't remember - St George? It could never be the same, and I think it might be time to wish good luck to those fans staying on, and to quietly walk away. Because really, you can only ever truly madly deeply support one team. I have to agree with these sentiments, I doubt I could support an amalgamated Club and would cease my love for the Club if this were to happen .... Casuals fans are saying WE would be become their tenants in any such set up Would this be the case OR would both teams be tenants of EBC ... anyone enlighten on this  |
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