Berkhamsted FC’s battle to save their football ground has continued with almost 4,000 supporters signing a petition to persuade the owners to stay at Broadwater, which is located on Lower Kings Road near the town centre.
The proposed move away from Broadwater, which has been set up by stadium owner’s BSGCA (Berkhamsted Sports Grounds Charitable Association), would see the club move to Bourne End.
However, club director Grant Hastie has revealed further converns and cases on behalf of the club board that would see the move be a major threat to the club’s future.
Mr Hastie has revealed via the club’s website that the football club, that was founded in 2009, is an important part of the town’s centre, and many people wouldn’t follow what it offers if it were to be moved to Bourne End.
He said: “Little thought seems to have been given to depriving the town of a much-loved town centre for over a century. If it is not broke, why fix it? Weekly entertainment in Berko for a large numbers is rare, the football club and the cienma are about the only ones who provide it.
“The clubhouse is a thriving community centre with darts and pool teams, a creche, an entertainement centre including for Swan Youth, Mencap and it provides community parties and events. That community will not follow the BSGCA out of the town centre to Bourne End
“It seems the BSCGA want to reinvent themselbes as a Dacorum charity. Their plan is to sell the Broadwater ground that their company was set up to aquire a century ago.
“The land they would get at Bourne End will be becomre two or three of their acres. It will take Berkhamsted out of the BSGCA’s land holdings.”
BSGCA is working property development company from Sussex called Thekeham and leaflets have been sent out to homes in Berkhamsted to describe the proposal.
BSGCA released a statement last month regarding the potential relocation of the football club.
It read: “In order to realise the full potential of the new site, BSGCA will need to investigate all funding options to maximise the benefit to the community. The sale of the freehold land that they charity owns at Broadwater, which woud require the relocation of Berkhamsted FC, is part of this investigation.
“The views of the National Sporting Bodies and local club’s will be considered when deciding the best way to develop the site. While the present Berkhamsted FC site it very convenient, its constraints do not enable long term development, according to the FA’s specifications.
“The BSCGA’s relationship with Thakeham helps to ensure that Dacorum Borough Council and local residents have an opportunity to consider Bulbourne Cross, which offers significant benefits to sport, leisure and infrastructure for the town.
“We will work with relevant local authorities to help ensure that whenevr development options are reviewed, proper consideration is given to the provision of the community facilities for sports and leisure.”
The petition, set up by the football club, is currently nearing 3,700 signatures, and if you wish to sign it, head to change.org/savebroadwater
Do you agree with the potential move, or are you hopeful that the football club can keep Broadwater? Get in touch with your views by emailing newsroom@mynewsmag.co.uk
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