Re: Nene Park

sussexdiamond · Post by **sussexdiamond** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 8:55 am

If Nene Park is too far out of town then that rules out Rushden Lakes I guess.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 9:16 am

Was Rushden Lakes ever an option? I guess all land owned by developer has been utilised by retail unit buildings and car parking requirements. That bird has flown, however, discussions with the LA can only take place before a planning application comes before the Planning Committee for approval.

nsman · Post by **nsman** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:46 am

We couldn't go back to Nene park and bear the costs there on our own but as part of a solution incorporating multi sport community use it might work well. As for being in the middle of nowhere, thats a strange statement. Its quite well positioned for supporters who live all around in Wellingbororough, Raunds, Rushden etc. Also, as far as I can tell we are getting absolutely nowhere in even finding a site for a new ground let alone getting one approved and built. Why can't we throw our weight behind this proposal. The labour candidate might win or the current MP might also come to think it's a worthy project/vote winner. I think the Rushden Lakes deal has put some momentum into this kind of thinking.

Post by **BartonRaz** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 10:57 am

nsman wrote:We couldn't go back to Nene park and bear the costs there on our own but as part of a solution incorporating multi sport community use it might work well. As for being in the middle of nowhere, thats a strange statement. Its quite well positioned for supporters who live all around in Wellingbororough, Raunds, Rushden etc. Also, as far as I can tell we are getting absolutely nowhere in even finding a site for a new ground let alone getting one approved and built. Why can't we throw our weight behind this proposal. The labour candidate might win or the current MP might also come to think it's a worthy project/vote winner. I think the Rushden Lakes deal has put some momentum into this kind of thinking.

Agree with that. Although I believe there is a committee set-up with the purpose of working on the potential new ground, itentifying land etc, so unless you're part of that committee we don't know for certain that we're not getting anywhere.

Everyweeker · Post by **Everyweeker** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:07 am

nsman wrote:We couldn't go back to Nene park and bear the costs there on our own but as part of a solution incorporating multi sport community use it might work well. As for being in the middle of nowhere, thats a strange statement. Its quite well positioned for supporters who live all around in Wellingbororough, Raunds, Rushden etc. Also, as far as I can tell we are getting absolutely nowhere in even finding a site for a new ground let alone getting one approved and built. Why can't we throw our weight behind this proposal. The labour candidate might win or the current MP might also come to think it's a worthy project/vote winner. I think the Rushden Lakes deal has put some momentum into this kind of thinking.

I agree with Barton Raz, in that I agree with this.

Lets be clear on the politics - although he has played his hand well, Garvie isn't winning in 2015. In any case, you are right it puts pressure on Bone to comment. HOWEVER, this isn't a decision any MP is involved in, it will be for the council to decide.

If we don't pay any money to Cousins, then I'd be delighted to play at Nene Park as a council owned facility. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT BEING NENE PARK SPECIFICALLY, just that we would have a ground in our natural area. If the Council wanted to reinvest for a facility elsewhere, I'd be just as happy (perhaps even happier), but Garvie is correct in suggesting this would likely be more costly.

I hope we can have a good debate on this topic on Thursday. We cannot ignore any opportunity to play at a council owned facility in our area.

Now, for what its worth, I imagine the Tory council will allow a planning application to proceed and all this debate will be for nought ;)

Three of Diamonds · Post by **Three of Diamonds** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:20 am

Some excellent points there. We need a home thats both fit for the level of football and the financial level we can sustain. If that's a council run Nene Park (can't see it) I'm ok with it.

davealbon · Post by **davealbon** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 12:05 pm

Difficult to know what to think about this proposal. Like many others, I've said my emotional goodbye to Nene Park, but while it's still standing, there will always be that 'what if' in the back of my mind.

It goes without saying that a return could only come about if KC was long gone and didn't stand to benefit in any way from us playing there. If that was the case then seeing AFC R&D play there would be an amazing feeling - I can already see Dunks rising to power home a Gearing cross in front of the re-re-named Peter De Banke Stand, and Finners running down from the newly re-named Dale Roberts Stand at the opposite end to join in the celebrations. However, in an absolutely best case scenario I can only see us attracting a maximum of 1000 fans on a regular basis (and don't get me wrong, I would be delighted with that), and let's be honest, the sight of Nene Park with only 1000 fans inside, with the biggest stand closed for the vast majority of games, is a depressing one.

Sadly, I just don't see Nene Park working for AFC R&D, even if we could have it for a peppercorn rent. The location is great for match days (easy access from most directions, no horrendous parking problems) but far from ideal in terms of getting people down the club house during the week to watch Premiership or Champions League footy. A new, smaller stadium on the outskirts of Rushden is a far better long term solution IMO. While a large site with several pitches for the Academy and Community teams is not a necessity, I think it would be hugely beneficial to have the whole club playing at the same venue, as it will make everyone feel more involved and encourage the young players and their parents to come and support the senior team.

Disclaimer: All of the above is written from the perspective of a soon to be ex-board member, and doesn't necessarily reflect the views of AFC Rushden & Diamonds! ;)

Everyweeker · Post by **Everyweeker** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 12:09 pm

davealbon wrote:A new, smaller stadium on the outskirts of Rushden is a far better long term solution IMO.)

Agreed. But we are not in a position to let 'the best' be the enemy of 'the good'. Much will depend on how much council support we will ever receive for our community-based infrastructure.

Dowlo · Post by **Dowlo** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 12:16 pm

davealbon wrote:Difficult to know what to think about this proposal. Like many others, I've said my emotional goodbye to Nene Park, but while it's still standing, there will always be that 'what if' in the back of my mind.

It goes without saying that a return could only come about if KC was long gone and didn't stand to benefit in any way from us playing there. If that was the case then seeing AFC R&D play there would be an amazing feeling - I can already see Dunks rising to power home a Gearing cross in front of the re-re-named Peter De Banke Stand, and Finners running down from the newly re-named Dale Roberts Stand at the opposite end to join in the celebrations. However, in an absolutely best case scenario I can only see us attracting a maximum of 1000 fans on a regular basis (and don't get me wrong, I would be delighted with that), and let's be honest, the sight of Nene Park with only 1000 fans inside, with the biggest stand closed for the vast majority of games, is a depressing one.

Sadly, I just don't see Nene Park working for AFC R&D, even if we could have it for a peppercorn rent. The location is great for match days (easy access from most directions, no horrendous parking problems) but far from ideal in terms of getting people down the club house during the week to watch Premiership or Champions League footy. A new, smaller stadium on the outskirts of Rushden is a far better long term solution IMO. While a large site with several pitches for the Academy and Community teams is not a necessity, I think it would be hugely beneficial to have the whole club playing at the same venue, as it will make everyone feel more involved and encourage the young players and their parents to come and support the senior team.

Disclaimer: All of the above is written from the perspective of a soon to be ex-board member, and doesn't necessarily reflect the views of AFC Rushden & Diamonds! ;)

Never thought I'd see the day, but it's hard to argue with any of the above.

SouthRushdenJFC · Post by **SouthRushdenJFC** » Tue Jul 15, 2014 12:39 pm

Like Dave I'm writing this as a soon to be ex-board member.

Nene Park doesn't work for me. If it was a smaller stadium with more grass around then I'd be more likely to agree, but it isn't and moving to there will not give the space needed to bring the Academy in from Northampton and the Community in from Finedon, Raunds and Bozeat.

I also think there is a massive risk of alienating half the fan base.

I also can't see the council going for it. East Northants has a population of 87,000 and the council are being asked to invest in something that will benefit 2,000 at a very generous guess. Don't forget that the plug has been pulled on Manor Park redevelopment. Perhaps it may be time to re-open that jar of honey.

As you would expect from me having all the teams able to train and play at the same venue is a must.

For my money the best use of Nene Park would be as County headquarters for the Northants FA.