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Moving On!

The following is a history of the significant events and how they instigated improvements to the facilities, pitch and/or the organisation; click on the index below and it will take you directly to the article concerned

1. The New Pavilion: Lottery Time Line - It’s a long story!

2  Step 7: Application to the Cheshire League 

Drainage works & Secure Compound

Senior & Junior Clubs merge

4. HLF (Heriatge Lottery Fund) Bid

5. 3G MUGA surface  

6. WBAFC achieves FA Community Charter Standard

The New Pavilion & MUGA

The previous small facility, which comprised 2 changing rooms and a shower room only, was a cheaply constructed  timber frame building clad in asbestos sheets with a flat roof; it had become somewhat dilapidated and a decisions had to be taken as to how to repair or replace it before it could no longer sustain organised football.

2 Nov 1993

Steve Rampley, Chair WBAFC, approached the Town Council & HPBC (site owner) with a view to seeking grant aid to replace the existing structure with a modern building albeit roughly the same size.  This 'aspiration' was initially overtaken by the Town Council's own desire to build a new Community Centre; a feasibility study was already underway and any available money, £60k was ring fenced by HPBC in their Capital Programme up until Autumn 1995, was to be directed at that facility should it prove viable.

 

 

31.Jan.1996

Ultimately WBTC shelved the Community Centre, an appropriate site could not be found, and instead concluded that the priority was to improve existing facilities such as at the football ground.

 

 

13.Mar.1996

Steve sent in proposals to both Councils comprising plans and estimates to construct a new building to the rear of the existing which would remain in operation during the construction period; the cost estimated to be around £35,000.  The Town Council responded that it would consider the proposal but would favour extending the facility to incorporate 'other local user groups' and asked whether the 'design could be extended to provide additional facilities' to that effect.

 

 

17 Jun 1966

WBTC request that WBAFC apply for outline planning permission for the building to the Aug 5 Planning Committee; a prerequisite for lottery funding. Expected split at this stage 65% Lottery, 25% WBTC & 10% WBAFC

 

 

5 Aug 1966

Joint Committee agreed that preferred options be considered by WBTC & HPBC

 

2.10 HPBC to lease an area of land to WBTC to construct the pavilion at a peppercorn rent

 

WBTC together with lottery funding and contributions from user groups finance the project

 

WBTC to own the building

 

HPBC to contribute to the annual revenue costs of the building

 

A management Committee to deal with day to day operation of the building

 

HPBC to retain responsibility fo future letting of pitches etc.

 

HPBC apply for planning permission

 

HPBC apply for Lottery funding for the building

 

 

15.Oct.1996

HPBC Community & Leisure Services Committee re Agenda Item 17; Whaley Bridge Community Facilities, resolved that the preferred option for the provision of new changing rooms at Memorial Park be as detailed in paragraph 2.10 of the report (as above). In other words HPBC will support the bid.

 

 

Nov 1966

Initial Sports Lottery application submitted by HPBC; cost £40k, 14k provided by WBTC+WBAFC & with a Lottery grant application for the remaining 26K.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click on the thumbnails to see the original Lottery application

 

 

 

 

 

 

Site Plan

Pavilion

 

 

Mar 1997

Notification from the Lottery Sports Fund that the application was unsuccessful.  Although accepted in principle, the facility did not conform to the Sports Councils minimum technical requirements and didn't cater properly for the disabled & females. Inc in the notification was guidence note 408 for Sports Pavilions and Team Changing Accommodation!

 

 

12.May.1997

Resubmitted with Steve Rampley's revisions to the building plan as requested.

 

 

08 Oct 1997

Received 2nd rejection of Lottery application; rejected now because it was ‘geared towards existing users rather than increasing sports participation’ particularly females incorporated into a development plan. In an effort to increase participation we should consider increasing the size of the facility to allow greater scope for group participation, increase the number of changing rooms to 4 rooms and consider summer usage.

 

 

17 Nov 1997

Steve Rampley at a meeting at the Mechanics Inst first mooted the idea of an all weather facility to satisfy certain outstanding Lottery 'participation' issues.  It was agreed that this, in addition to more changing rooms, would be required for the bid to be successful.  At this juncture HPBC had not as yet offered any financial assistance although the size and cost of the project was now 5 x the original estimate!

 

 

25 Nov 1997

Steve Rampley sent amended drawings to HPBC to facilitate a revised Planning application which was approved on 26 Feb 2008

 

 

        1999

A 3rd application submitted, ‘Construction of All Weather Pitch with Floodlight & Changing Accommodation’. HPBC also agreed to contribute significantly towards the costs.

 

 

Aug 2000

The Lottery application for a Floodlit Multi Use Games Area and new changing rooms was approved.  The final breakdown - Lottery grant of £130k; HPBC £31,750; WBTC £34,750 and WBAFC £3,500 a total cost of £200k.

 

 

Aug 2002

After almost 10 years of protracted negotiations, a myriad of letters and a plethora of meetings the funding for the project was finally secured and the new facility opened in late 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The initial idea was simply to replace like with like; to replace the existing 2 changing rooms and showers, but the emphasis by both Councils and particularly Sport England on wider participation ultimately completely changed the size and scope of the project.    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WBAFC would like to thank HPBC's Bob Hall & Andy Wood and all at WBTC at that period for their support throughout this process. 

 

Step 7 Application

In Jan 2008 Head Coach Darryl Hall & assistant Jon Brogden proposed that if the Club is to retain players and continue to progress then the logical step would be to move up into Football League Step 7 level; their preferred option being the Cheshire League.

Later that month we received the following documents from the Cheshire League all of which were duly completed and returned to the CL Sercretary before the 1st Thursday in April deadline.

  1. Club Profile: provides the Club with an opportunity to present its strength in terms of; History; Committee; Meetings; Finances; Match Day set up etc.

  2. Club Application Questionnaire: offers the League a snapshot of the Club's administration/management

  3. Club & Ground Vetting: which enables the Club to gauge whether it meets the mandatory requirements re the pitch dimensions; the surrounding area; Clubhouse; changing facilities;hospitality facilities etc

On 15th March 2008 representatives of the Cheshire League came to vet the Club and its facilities and although the organisation was found to be strong and the Club administered properly; they made the following observations:-

  1. The pitch needs to be widened by 4 metres to accord with their minimum requirements of 64m (70yds)

  2. The top corner (park end) of the pitch falls away very quickly

  3. The bottom corner of the pitch (park end) is very boggy and requires attention

  4. A fixed barrier is required to enclose the pitch

  5. Dugouts are desirable

  6. Charter Status is a requirement

  7. The Club requires a lease or some long term security of tenure

 

The upshot being that this initial application was not successful and a letter received to that effect on April 2nd 2008.  Since then the Club has been working to satisfy the Cheshire League's stipulations as follows:-. 

  1. May 2010: 260 tonnes of soil was imported to regrade the bottom 3rd of the pitch with specific regard to the corners

  2. Ditto item 1: Click here to see the pitch works in photographs

  3. HPBC installed a land drain to rectify the drainage problem in May 2008

  4. The Club requested permission to install a fixed barrier rail, first mooted in 2002, and agreed by HPBC on 28 Jul 2002 & WBTC on 18 Aug 2004 - that is now part of the imminent HLF bid & if successful should be in place later this year 2010.                                    

    Note: the Definitive Public Rights of Way map shows the actual legal route of Public Footpaths affecting the football field.

     

  5. Portable dugouts have been constructed by Bob Wood ready for the new season 2010/11; the concrete bases constructed 17/18 Sept 2010 and the new dugouts first used on 9th Oct 2010

  6. Dec 1st 2010: WBAFC achieves FA Communnty Charter Standard; the highest status and joins an elite 11 in Derbyshire to do so.

  7. WBAFC is in negotiations with WBTC & HPBC as regards becoming the leaseholder; also as part of the HLF bid.

 

Drainage Works & Secure Compound

In the interim, circa 1st Qtr 2008, WBTC conveyed concern to Steve Rampley that damp was creeping up the rear wall of the the pavilion obviously because the ground level was in part higher than the damp proof course!

It was agreed that although WBAFC is a 'tennant' it would nevertheless instigate measures to correct the problem not simply because the expertise was on hand and remedial measures necessary but because it would also be opportune to include the construction of a much needed secure compound to the rear of the pavilion. 

Bulk excavation commenced June 27th & 28th 2009; the materials for the project funded by WBTC and the work undertaken by WBAFC.  In the following months land drains were installed, the site stoned up 30th Oct and ultimately the security palicade fencing erected pre 2010/11 season.

Thanks to Jason Smith who gives of his time freely to help with many WBAFC projects. 

Senior & Junior Clubs Merge

Whaley Bridge Athletic FC and Whaley Bridge Junior FC merge.

Although accepted in principle for a couple of years the 2 clubs formally merged to form a new organisation to support up to 15 teams with ages ranging from under 8 upwards.

A packed June 28, 2010 EGM saw all outstanding issues resolved unanimously and the new Committee formed headed up by Chair Steve Rampley with Vice Chairs Chris Morrell (seniors) & Dean Campbell (Juniors)

Sam Bracey, the Club Welfare Officer, is pushing the Charter Status application which, although not the initial reason for merging, will in addition to promoting & developing football also support the Club on various fronts:-

  • It is a requirement of the HLF Bid that one organisation represent the football fraternity in Whaley Bridge

  • One of the criteria should Head Coach Darryl Hall & Co. decide to move the 1st team up into the Football League Step 7

  • It is a requirement if WBAFC is to potentially access DFA funding for a 3G surface on the 5 hard play surface.

 

The full organisation structure and all contact details can be found here 

Heritage Lottery Fund Bid

An initial 2007 HPBC bid for Heritage Lottery Funding to revamp the Memorial Park failed; one of the reasons stated was because it didn’t contain a reference to the 'Football Ground' which was and is a significant part of the historic Memorial Park.

In September 2008, a 2nd ‘Parks for the People’ bid was submitted to the HLF; Stage 1 approval was given which meant that a more detailed Stage 2 could be drawn up and that submitted in 2010.  We should hear in September whether that bid has been successful

Although it's difficult to find any reference to specific proposals regarding the 'Football Ground', in any of the latest documents posted on HPBC's web site, the latest bid has been compiled after extensive consultation with WBAFC and the resulting timely proposals will go some way towards helping the Club to achieve Step 7 level football.

Steve Rampley, WBAFC Chair, tabled about 10 proposals covering aspects of both pitches and the area around the pavilion; the MUGA & Pavilion are not considered to be part of the Town’s heritage and therefore can’t be included within the bid.  It is still unclear as to what proposals are actually included however if the bid is successful we do know that a barrier rail will be erected around the senior pitch; extra provision for parking made available to the lower side of that pitch and the uneven area of paving stones around the pavilion will be replaced with tarmac. 

The work undertaken on the senior pitch to increase its size was originally included as an HLF proposal but the work had to be completed in the 2010/11 close season if WBAFC was to apply for step 7 in 2011/12.  This deadline couldn't be acheived within the HLF timeframe but HPBC responded positively by making a grant available to provide the 260 tonnes of soil; WBAFC did the work and is now on target to be ready for 2011/12. 

01 Oct 2010; WBAFC received notification that the HLF bid was successful and is now working with HPBC to instigate the proposals that affect the football field and surrounding areas.

 3G MUGA Surface

Jon Taylor the Chair of Whaley Bridge Association was tasked by the Town Council with setting up a Project Management Team (PMT) to look into how the MUGA could be revamped and made viable.  The PMT includes WB Councillors notably Jon Goldfinch and WBAFC's Steve Rampley & Chris Morrell.

24/06/09 Jon wrote to HPBC's Andy Brown for comments and views as HPBC shares responsibility for different aspects of the MUGA.

Jon Goldfinch instigated the whole process, literally showing a hands on attitude by power cleaning the moss from the surface himself, and has in the interim actively sought information to produce a specification and associated quotes from various suppliers ostensibly to replace the surface and fencing.

12/08/09   Subsequent to wide consultation a report was produced by the PMT; the only outstanding issue was whether to recommend a 2G sand based surface or go for the 3G grass type surface as promoted by the FA for football usage - there is a substantial difference in cost.  PMT Chair Jon Taylor subsequently retired from the WBA and was replaced by Sam Grey.

03/11/09   Ben Williams from Junior Club and a specialist in this type of thing posted a response to the Report stating that ultimately it was somewhat fruitless to recommend anything other than a 3G surface.  The Council was minded to recommend 2G in order to accommodate other sports but in essence only one sport, football, could make the facility viable and only a 3G surface could attract FA funding.  Ben produced a cost benefit analysis to back up his assertions.

04/02/10   Emails floating around discussing the issue of WBAFC potentially leasing the facility as part of the HLF bid and also to facilitate any funding from the FA.  WBAFC's position on this has remained constant ie. that it will consider taking on the lease if the facility is viable or definite processes are in place to make it viable; to do otherwise would simply transfer a financial burden from WBTC to WBAFC.

16/03/10   Chris Morrell, Senior Vice Chair, attended a meeting with reps from the DCFA at Pride Park to gauge the potential level of support for the project.  He got a positive response and if successful a bid from a 'Charter Status Club' would attract a potential 50% funding from the DCFA.  It was agreed that the DCFA reps, along with all interested parties, would visit the MUGA and advise based on what they see on the ground.

12/04/10   Subsequent to a meeting of all interested parties at the MUGA the DCFA issued samples of Football Foundation Funding Terms and Conditions and a sample Offer Letter.  A potential offer would be dependant upon the pitch being 3G and the Club becoming Chartered Status. 

In the interim WBTC decided, at a meeting in May, that the logical way forward was to go for a 3G surface; WBAFC is however not Charter Status as yet. 

13/08/10   Jon Goldfinch submitted a 'DCFA Pre- Application Form' which is really a letter of intent containing some basic information so that the DCFA can assess whether it is worth progressing to the full application; the Project estimate is £75k

Sep2010    The Pre-Application Forms will be processed this month and if successful a full application submitted in October.  However, the DCFA inform that the conditions and level of funding is under review and not yet decided. 

WBAFC is currently in the process of submitting an application to become a Charter Status Club.

10/11/10   Steve Rampley (WBAFC Chair) and Cllr Jon Goldfinch attend a meeting at the invitation of the DCFA to discuss a preliminary application.  The proposal was short listed however, were WBAFC to become an FA Charter Standard Community Club then the proposal would attract more weight. 

Thanks to Jon Goldfinch who instigated and continues to drive this project forward now as deputy Leader of WBTC.

TBC!

 

 

Charter Standard

Having assessed the Club's Charter Standard application the DCFA found that apart from a couple of areas Whaley Bridge Athletic actually do meet the FA Charter Standard 'Community' Club criteria.  The Club has since committed to undertake the necessary work within the next 12 months in order to achieve that highest standard and accordingly the DCFA has put WBAFC's application forward for FA approval. 

01/12/10   WBAFC receives notification from the FA that it has achieved Community Charter Standard.  The Club is now one of 10 elite clubs, out of 600, in Derbyshire to be awarded this the highest level of Charter Standard and is recognised as one of the nation's 339 best run clubs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
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