New ground
- Thread starter Les Esling
- Start date
- Jul 28, 2013
- 69
- 44
It also says that 1874's agreement with Cheshire FA is not exclusive, I suppose that means if other clubs are interested and go through the same due diligence process they'll be considered.
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- Jul 28, 2013
- 69
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Furious Hartford residents turn out to see plans for college campus houses
FURIOUS Hartford residents turned out in their droves to see more detailed plans of the housing development which will take the place of the…
Furious Hartford residents turn out to see plans for college campus houses
FURIOUS Hartford residents turned out in their droves to see more detailed plans of the housing development which will take the place of the…www.northwichguardian.co.uk
Tony, I think flattening Mid-Cheshire College is an absolute scandal. However, this is not the same land. Hartford Campus stretches far back beyond Hartford High School. There are about 7or8 pitches from what I remember.
- Jun 1, 2017
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"You say a 1900 capacity ground, but we are basically talking about a tarmac area around a pitch, a few seats and floodlights".
In a word Andy, no.
The minimum requirements for a club like 74 who are seeking promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 include the following.
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.
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 and visiting Players, Officials and Match Officials, unless provided for elsewhere in the Ground.
There must be a safe, unimpeded passage for players and officials between their dressing rooms and the pitch. The use of protection designed products such as permanent structures or retractable tunnels to separate spectators and players/officials is recommended.
A public address system must be provided which is clearly audible in all those areas of the ground which can be occupied by spectators.
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 and security 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 0.9 metre.
All exits must be clearly signed, ideally with “running man” signs, and are to be kept clear and free from obstructions. ( For further information, reference should be made to the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds.). There must be access via a bound surface to all exits from the nearest spectator viewing areas.
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.
Spectator Accommodation - Development, in addition to hard standing, should ideally be on more than one side of the ground. Covered accommodation, which should preferably be on 2 sides of the ground, must be of sound construction of timber/steel/brick/concrete or any combination of these materials. The minimum covered accommodation must be 250, of which at least 150 must be seated.
These 150 seats, in not more than 2 stands, may be inclusive of Directors/Committee and press seating. No stand may have less than 50 seats
There must be a minimum of 16 seats provided for Directors/Committee and guests with a minimum of 8 seats provided for the visiting club. These seats must be clearly marked “Home” and “Away Directors”.
Hard standing to a minimum width of 0.9 metre, measured from the spectator side of the pitch perimeter barrier, must be provided on all 4 sides of the ground, unless a different configuration exists (see paragraph 1). ). The surface must be tarmac, concrete, concrete paving or other approved materials which create a bound material.
Press Seating - A minimum of 2 seats must be provided with lighting and writing facilities for use by the press and other media. The press seating must have a clear view of the field of play.
Terracing - Where terracing is provided, it must comply with the requirements of the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds. All terracing must be in a sound condition. Terracing that is crumbling, has grass / weeds growing through it or has broken or loose concrete will not be accepted. Any level surface within the ground should ideally be hard standing, such as tarmac, concrete, concrete paving or other approved materials which create a bound surface.
Toilets - Toilets must be located within the ground and must be accessible both to male and to female spectators. Such toilets need not be in a dedicated toilet block but must be in addition to those used by people using the clubhouse. The following minimum toilet facilities must be provided in total, excluding those located in any clubhouse:
Male: 2 urinals or equivalent and 1 WC
Female: 2 WCs
In addition, wash hand basins with running water, warm air hand driers and/or paper towel dispenser with towels and waste paper bins must be provided in each toilet area.
All toilet areas must be in working order, with a roof and operational lighting, supplied with toilet paper and maintained to a high level of cleanliness.
These facilities may be of the temporary or mobile type but must be connected to the mains supply. They must be fully accessible with permanent access.
Refreshment Facilities - A separate room must be made available in which refreshments for Directors/Committee and guests can be served. This area must be able to accommodate a minimum of 16 persons (24 at Grade D) with nearby toilet facilities.
Spectators - Refreshment facilities must be provided in each separate area of the ground. These facilities may be of a temporary or mobile type.
DRESSING ROOM FACILITIES
Players - Separate dressing rooms must be provided for both teams within the enclosed area of the ground. The dressing rooms must be of sound construction and be of a permanent nature.Existing dressing room dimensions will be acceptable provided they are a minimum of 12 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. However, clubs wishing to progress should be aware of the need to increase to a minimum size of 18 square metres, excluding shower and toilet
areas. Where clubs are planning to build new dressing rooms these must be a minimum size of 18 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. Each dressing room must have the following:
Each match officials’ dressing room must have the following:
There must be an audible electronic warning device (bell or buzzer) in working order located in the match officials’ dressing room and which is linked to the players’ dressing rooms.
Disabled Facilities - A club must take full account of the needs of disabled spectators and be mindful of its obligations under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Reference may be made to the publications / data sheets issued by both The Football Association and the Football Foundation.
No specific requirement is currently included in the ground grading criteria but The Football Association strongly recommends that access is provided to both a covered viewing area and toilet and refreshment facilities.
As I said, these are the minimum requirements. They get more onerous the further up the pyramid. The Generic Stadium Plan satified all the criteria that we would have to meet in terms of ground grading to Step 3.
So, I'd suggest that it would be a bit more than "a tarmac area around a pitch, a few seats and floodlights".
In a word Andy, no.
The minimum requirements for a club like 74 who are seeking promotion from Step 5 to Step 4 include the following.
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.
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 and visiting Players, Officials and Match Officials, unless provided for elsewhere in the Ground.
There must be a safe, unimpeded passage for players and officials between their dressing rooms and the pitch. The use of protection designed products such as permanent structures or retractable tunnels to separate spectators and players/officials is recommended.
A public address system must be provided which is clearly audible in all those areas of the ground which can be occupied by spectators.
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 and security 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 0.9 metre.
All exits must be clearly signed, ideally with “running man” signs, and are to be kept clear and free from obstructions. ( For further information, reference should be made to the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds.). There must be access via a bound surface to all exits from the nearest spectator viewing areas.
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.
Spectator Accommodation - Development, in addition to hard standing, should ideally be on more than one side of the ground. Covered accommodation, which should preferably be on 2 sides of the ground, must be of sound construction of timber/steel/brick/concrete or any combination of these materials. The minimum covered accommodation must be 250, of which at least 150 must be seated.
These 150 seats, in not more than 2 stands, may be inclusive of Directors/Committee and press seating. No stand may have less than 50 seats
There must be a minimum of 16 seats provided for Directors/Committee and guests with a minimum of 8 seats provided for the visiting club. These seats must be clearly marked “Home” and “Away Directors”.
Hard standing to a minimum width of 0.9 metre, measured from the spectator side of the pitch perimeter barrier, must be provided on all 4 sides of the ground, unless a different configuration exists (see paragraph 1). ). The surface must be tarmac, concrete, concrete paving or other approved materials which create a bound material.
Press Seating - A minimum of 2 seats must be provided with lighting and writing facilities for use by the press and other media. The press seating must have a clear view of the field of play.
Terracing - Where terracing is provided, it must comply with the requirements of the Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds. All terracing must be in a sound condition. Terracing that is crumbling, has grass / weeds growing through it or has broken or loose concrete will not be accepted. Any level surface within the ground should ideally be hard standing, such as tarmac, concrete, concrete paving or other approved materials which create a bound surface.
Toilets - Toilets must be located within the ground and must be accessible both to male and to female spectators. Such toilets need not be in a dedicated toilet block but must be in addition to those used by people using the clubhouse. The following minimum toilet facilities must be provided in total, excluding those located in any clubhouse:
Male: 2 urinals or equivalent and 1 WC
Female: 2 WCs
In addition, wash hand basins with running water, warm air hand driers and/or paper towel dispenser with towels and waste paper bins must be provided in each toilet area.
All toilet areas must be in working order, with a roof and operational lighting, supplied with toilet paper and maintained to a high level of cleanliness.
These facilities may be of the temporary or mobile type but must be connected to the mains supply. They must be fully accessible with permanent access.
Refreshment Facilities - A separate room must be made available in which refreshments for Directors/Committee and guests can be served. This area must be able to accommodate a minimum of 16 persons (24 at Grade D) with nearby toilet facilities.
Spectators - Refreshment facilities must be provided in each separate area of the ground. These facilities may be of a temporary or mobile type.
DRESSING ROOM FACILITIES
Players - Separate dressing rooms must be provided for both teams within the enclosed area of the ground. The dressing rooms must be of sound construction and be of a permanent nature.Existing dressing room dimensions will be acceptable provided they are a minimum of 12 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. However, clubs wishing to progress should be aware of the need to increase to a minimum size of 18 square metres, excluding shower and toilet
areas. Where clubs are planning to build new dressing rooms these must be a minimum size of 18 square metres, excluding shower and toilet areas. Each dressing room must have the following:
- A shower area comprising of at least 4 showerheads
- At least 1 wash hand basin located outside the shower area.
- (All of the above must have hot and cold running water)
- At least 1 WC in a cubicle
- There must be a treatment table which is clean and in good condition in each room.
Each match officials’ dressing room must have the following:
- At least 1 shower and 1 wash hand basin (both with hot and cold running water).
- At least 1 WC in a cubicle
There must be an audible electronic warning device (bell or buzzer) in working order located in the match officials’ dressing room and which is linked to the players’ dressing rooms.
Disabled Facilities - A club must take full account of the needs of disabled spectators and be mindful of its obligations under the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Reference may be made to the publications / data sheets issued by both The Football Association and the Football Foundation.
No specific requirement is currently included in the ground grading criteria but The Football Association strongly recommends that access is provided to both a covered viewing area and toilet and refreshment facilities.
As I said, these are the minimum requirements. They get more onerous the further up the pyramid. The Generic Stadium Plan satified all the criteria that we would have to meet in terms of ground grading to Step 3.
So, I'd suggest that it would be a bit more than "a tarmac area around a pitch, a few seats and floodlights".
- Jul 28, 2013
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In a word James, no. Don’t be quoting someone else’s posting and saying it’s mine.
We all know the requirements they’re easily found online. Barnton has a ground rating more than adequate for us, higher standard than winsford. Barntons set up shows what a fantastic set up you can get with a limited space.
What I did say is I hope the club keep their options open, and don’t dismiss anything too soon.
- Jun 24, 2013
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I think you may find Andy/James that although these ground grading reg's are indeed easily found online, few will have read them thoroughly (even amongst our committed and heavily engaged band of folk on this forum, let alone amongst the wider club membership or the even wider fan base). So it is worthwhile posting them on here (even though that only reaches a select few).
What would interest me (though it may be of little relevance here) is whether there are sort of off-the-shelf small football stadium plans/models out there which we might have accessed as an alternative to having one custom designed. Maybe there are but they are not suitable, or end up (Ikea style) having a spare floodlight pylon or a missing toilet block roof. Mere idle curiosity.
What would interest me (though it may be of little relevance here) is whether there are sort of off-the-shelf small football stadium plans/models out there which we might have accessed as an alternative to having one custom designed. Maybe there are but they are not suitable, or end up (Ikea style) having a spare floodlight pylon or a missing toilet block roof. Mere idle curiosity.
- Jul 28, 2013
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Think there’s multiple factors to the attendance. Yes people being a bit bored of travelling to Winsford has a contribution, but equally, if not more this years performances and the fact the league season is a dead rubber now is a big contribution too
I get the complexities of building even the most basic ground. I was questioning whether it would be a ‘bloody big ground’; Barnton’s isn’t. I was also questioning, without being a troublemaker, why you wouldn’t want to follow up every possible option, no matter how slim the chance.
I get disappointment, I don’t get how the Cheshire FA’s decision is the club’s fault.
- Oct 27, 2013
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James no ladies toilets at abbey only in club but stairs to clime so pam cannot use them
- Aug 1, 2013
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Probably the most stupid thing I've read in a while. If you think our club fiddle the gate numbers to prove you wrong then you're at the wrong club.
- Jun 27, 2013
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I take exception to this Blackie; the attendance at games is very well managed with EVERYBODY who comes through the turnstiles is accounted for and to suggest that this is not the case is bang out of order ......
Attendances do seem to be reducing, probably due to early eliminations from the cup competitions and basically nothing to play for in the league, as has been eluded to elsewhere.
I’ve decided not to attend recently for different reasons though.
Being relatively new to the area, but an avid follower of non league football, I wanted to sample what Cheshire had to offer, and I’ve discovered there’s a lot to choose from! I grew to like 1874. I started to bring friends and visiting relatives along with me, I think we numbered 15 for the visit of Congleton last year!
Sadly though, there have been too many unsavoury incidents, Northwich Vics and Winsford stand out, but there were others too. Now I understand passions run high and, as I was not living in the area when 1874 was formed, maybe I just don’t get it, but too many times, the line has been crossed, and I, and others who have accompanied me, have felt uncomfortable.
Recently, I’ve paid visits to Leek and Congleton. I also watched Northwich Vics in the Vase and plan to watch their upcoming semi final too. The atmosphere at these games just seems a little more relaxed, making it a more enjoyable afternoon, so my time following ‘74 has probably drawn to a close.
Maybe it’s just me though!
Good luck for the future ????????
- Aug 5, 2013
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How would it be to prove me wrong!? I only mentioned the gate post game so they would have nothing to prove me wrong over!.
Funny how this is insulting yet we quite openly and often hint that another certain club does the same thing....which we do without any guilt whatsoever!!
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I’ve not been this season, which is more to do with having a young family and busy job but I still follow what’s going on closely.
I personally was disappointed we didn’t do more to ground share Wincham Park. We were riding high, attracting big crowds in the Vase and could’ve kicked on from there. We dithered and let Vics in, which is what I predicted would happen when I spoke to the board. They now have the momentum and we clearly struggled to sign anyone over the summer and have had a pretty disasterous season. People just won’t travel to Winsford to see an average team. I felt at the time there was a lack of ambition.
However, I do genuinely think the people running the club are fantastic and I was delighted with the Barnton ground share - it’s a great decision. Also think it says a lot that we were the first considered for the new football complex which, when initial location disappointment dies down, has the potential to be very exciting.
The board do need to be open to listening to fans, and make sure they get back to them when they make contact. Although not by a current board member, today is a perfect example of where people have been ‘talked down to’ for making valid suggestions and it has put me off bothering for one. What a star Vicki is though; approachable, down to earth and friendly. A real asset to the club.
Hopefully I’ll return next season;what I could never do is go back to Vics. They are in another predictable cycle of unsustainable spending before going bust. It will happen again.
I personally was disappointed we didn’t do more to ground share Wincham Park. We were riding high, attracting big crowds in the Vase and could’ve kicked on from there. We dithered and let Vics in, which is what I predicted would happen when I spoke to the board. They now have the momentum and we clearly struggled to sign anyone over the summer and have had a pretty disasterous season. People just won’t travel to Winsford to see an average team. I felt at the time there was a lack of ambition.
However, I do genuinely think the people running the club are fantastic and I was delighted with the Barnton ground share - it’s a great decision. Also think it says a lot that we were the first considered for the new football complex which, when initial location disappointment dies down, has the potential to be very exciting.
The board do need to be open to listening to fans, and make sure they get back to them when they make contact. Although not by a current board member, today is a perfect example of where people have been ‘talked down to’ for making valid suggestions and it has put me off bothering for one. What a star Vicki is though; approachable, down to earth and friendly. A real asset to the club.
Hopefully I’ll return next season;what I could never do is go back to Vics. They are in another predictable cycle of unsustainable spending before going bust. It will happen again.
- Aug 1, 2013
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You're suggesting a club, who are the only one in the area not to count non-attending season tickets, who voted down a members motion to increase the gate figures at the last agm by including these paying customers, wants to inflate the gates by lying about how many attend. It's beyond ridiculous.