‘Club is to be applauded’ (From Basingstoke Gazette)

‘Club is to be applauded’

10:57am Friday 20th January 2012 in Letters

Sir.–In these times of global downturn and general doom and gloom, it’s wonderful that a community club such as Basingstoke Town Football Club is looking to cement the future of local football, local prosperity and create a positive environment.

Zero borrowing and no longterm debt to build the new facility, securing the long-term viability of the club by selling the present site, and creating jobs for Basingstoke people. Brilliant!

Having played at, and visited, the Camrose many times, I appreciate the decay of the stadium and how badly modernisation is needed. In addition, access to the ground isn’t easy, given the road traffic system of the surrounding area and residential constraints. Moving the Dragons to the proposed new site will remove inner town congestion on match days and provide easy access for all.

Any football club needs to seek additional income in order to provide sustainability. The design of the new ground allows BTFC to capitalise on non-match day income and this could be further enhanced by sponsorship.

Again, allowing local businesses first dibs on any sponsorship schemes will increase club income but also maintain the community/local ethos of BTFC.

Having read through the proposed development plan several times, and visited the earmarked site, it is my opinion that BTFC has taken its time to prepare, understand and provide a clear, concise and hugely positive analysis of how to progress not just the football club, but Basingstoke as a town.

–Mr A Birch, Address supplied.