AB
21st June 2002, 17:58
What is the rationale behind the agreement of an option to move to Kingstonian's ground?
Could you tell us what the conditions for a move there would be? Many fans would be opposed to a move there in any circumstances, so I believe that you should, in order to try to maintain good relations with BFC's paying clientele, give us a great deal of detail about these conditions, albeit that it is at present hypothetical in that it is an option.
My view is that a move to Kingstonian could be sold to the majority of Bees fans in the following circumstances:
(1) A suitable site for a new stadium has been identified and planning permission has been granted; this should be within reasonably close proximity of BFC's traditional home catchment area (although not necessarily in Hounslow- other neighbouring boroughs should also be considered)
(2) A realistic business plan for the construction of the new stadium has been prepared
(3) The financing for the new stadium is in place in a secure way (ie not contingent on events outside BFC's direct control); this includes having a realistic business plan showing how BFC could operate viably while at Kingsmeadow and the impact that this would have, including the extent to which any of the proceeds of the sale of Griffin Park were required to be used for the operational expenses of BFC (this should not happen at all if you abide by your previous statement that those funds would be ring-fenced)
(4) A clear and binding timetable for the transition from Griffin Park, via Kingsmeadow, to the new stadium is available and that again, this is as free as possible from being contingent on events which cannot be controlled by BFC.
(5) A clear and unequivocal commitment from you, Altonwood or whoever are the major owners of BFC that sufficient financial support is in place to allow BFC to continue to operate successfully as a league football club during the transition and beyond.
(6) Clear proposals for easing the impact on BFC's current fans of the transition via Kingsmeadow so that the 4-5000 loyal fans are encouraged fully to continue to support the club. These need to be accompanied by suitable financial commitments (eg there is no value to us in a promise to fund matchday transport to Kingston from the Brentford area if this is not costed and included in the overall finances)
(7) Clear, costed and committed proposals to ensure that BFC continues to have links with the Brentford community and its traditional home area, while at the same time widening this to the Kingston area and the area where the new stadium will be located.
I have deliberately not included conditions about the sale of Griffin Park- this is because I do not wish to presuppose the terms of such a sale (or indeed whether it is essential to sell it at all- there has not really ever been any particularly convincing engineering/construction reasoning given for saying that Griffin Park itself could not be demolished and rebuilt in a suitably innovative way, even accepting that the current Ealing Road end may need to remain very low). My personal belief is that a really high quality development on the current site would have the potential to add a great deal of value to the club- more than the mere physical facilities that it would offer, although I am happy to be convinced otherwise.
On top of this, I believe that you need to change our perceptions as fans so that we trust that you are committed to this course of action and that you will not change the rules, enter into semantic debate (eg the definition of "funded"), or decide to walk away from the project until it is complete. Whether this can be done with you as the majority owner of the club or by you retaining a more limited financial stake is, to me of less relevance if you provide us with the concrete assurances that will earn you our trust. We, on the whole, trusted you (despite the warnings from some fans of other clubs) when you came and that is why we are particularly worried now- we didn't think, perhaps naively, that our initial success in your first season in division 3 was such a Mephistophelian pact.
We are not all "thick prats", as you have described those of us who have criticised your management of the club as a business. I believe that a majority are willing to treat you with courtesy and to listen, as long as you do the same to us.
Our primary interest as Brentford fans is in ensuring that the club which we love and support using our hard earned money and our precious leisure time (with no thought of financial return or gain) will remain in its traditional home area, will be secure from the threat of closure and will flourish on the pitch (to an extent that is financially sustainable). We want there to be a Brentford FC for our grandchildren and beyond.
Could you tell us what the conditions for a move there would be? Many fans would be opposed to a move there in any circumstances, so I believe that you should, in order to try to maintain good relations with BFC's paying clientele, give us a great deal of detail about these conditions, albeit that it is at present hypothetical in that it is an option.
My view is that a move to Kingstonian could be sold to the majority of Bees fans in the following circumstances:
(1) A suitable site for a new stadium has been identified and planning permission has been granted; this should be within reasonably close proximity of BFC's traditional home catchment area (although not necessarily in Hounslow- other neighbouring boroughs should also be considered)
(2) A realistic business plan for the construction of the new stadium has been prepared
(3) The financing for the new stadium is in place in a secure way (ie not contingent on events outside BFC's direct control); this includes having a realistic business plan showing how BFC could operate viably while at Kingsmeadow and the impact that this would have, including the extent to which any of the proceeds of the sale of Griffin Park were required to be used for the operational expenses of BFC (this should not happen at all if you abide by your previous statement that those funds would be ring-fenced)
(4) A clear and binding timetable for the transition from Griffin Park, via Kingsmeadow, to the new stadium is available and that again, this is as free as possible from being contingent on events which cannot be controlled by BFC.
(5) A clear and unequivocal commitment from you, Altonwood or whoever are the major owners of BFC that sufficient financial support is in place to allow BFC to continue to operate successfully as a league football club during the transition and beyond.
(6) Clear proposals for easing the impact on BFC's current fans of the transition via Kingsmeadow so that the 4-5000 loyal fans are encouraged fully to continue to support the club. These need to be accompanied by suitable financial commitments (eg there is no value to us in a promise to fund matchday transport to Kingston from the Brentford area if this is not costed and included in the overall finances)
(7) Clear, costed and committed proposals to ensure that BFC continues to have links with the Brentford community and its traditional home area, while at the same time widening this to the Kingston area and the area where the new stadium will be located.
I have deliberately not included conditions about the sale of Griffin Park- this is because I do not wish to presuppose the terms of such a sale (or indeed whether it is essential to sell it at all- there has not really ever been any particularly convincing engineering/construction reasoning given for saying that Griffin Park itself could not be demolished and rebuilt in a suitably innovative way, even accepting that the current Ealing Road end may need to remain very low). My personal belief is that a really high quality development on the current site would have the potential to add a great deal of value to the club- more than the mere physical facilities that it would offer, although I am happy to be convinced otherwise.
On top of this, I believe that you need to change our perceptions as fans so that we trust that you are committed to this course of action and that you will not change the rules, enter into semantic debate (eg the definition of "funded"), or decide to walk away from the project until it is complete. Whether this can be done with you as the majority owner of the club or by you retaining a more limited financial stake is, to me of less relevance if you provide us with the concrete assurances that will earn you our trust. We, on the whole, trusted you (despite the warnings from some fans of other clubs) when you came and that is why we are particularly worried now- we didn't think, perhaps naively, that our initial success in your first season in division 3 was such a Mephistophelian pact.
We are not all "thick prats", as you have described those of us who have criticised your management of the club as a business. I believe that a majority are willing to treat you with courtesy and to listen, as long as you do the same to us.
Our primary interest as Brentford fans is in ensuring that the club which we love and support using our hard earned money and our precious leisure time (with no thought of financial return or gain) will remain in its traditional home area, will be secure from the threat of closure and will flourish on the pitch (to an extent that is financially sustainable). We want there to be a Brentford FC for our grandchildren and beyond.