Market Drayton Town Football Club hits out at ground plan

Club officials say they have been given no assurances over funding for a proposed move from Greenfields to Longford Turning.

Directors said details about the relocation were lacking in the town's neighbourhood plan.

Greenfields, which is currently home to a host of sport teams, could be released for houses if a new recreation area at Longford Turning is built and all revenue from the development is channelled into new facilities.

Officials from the football club said £300,000 has been spent at Greenfields developing and maintaining the facilities. Some of this has been supported by local grants and club funds so they say any move must be justified to any local sponsors.

They said no assurances have been made demonstrating adequate funding for the move.

A document from the club states: "There has been no business case presented for the Greenfields facilities to be uprooted or moved."

"The council is proceeding to act based on the results of a residents' survey in The Messenger, which were poor as to make the results meaningless.

"At 44 pages long the neighbourhood plan is incoherent and lacks any sort of executive summary, conclusions or otherwise. It is not user friendly.

"The Longford Turning is an area which is not as central to the town as the current site.

"We estimate that 75 per cent of our local supports walk to Greenfields at present. The proposed location at Longford Turning is not within reasonable walking distance."

The committee of the club said they will not support any move which has a detrimental effect on its survival.

But Roger Hughes, Shropshire councillor for Market Drayton, said: "Last week I watched the number of people arrive at the game and only 12 people came on foot.

"These plans are the only way we can source the capital to deliver far superior facilities. It is meant to be a public sports facility for the whole town not just for the use of the football club."

Julie Jones, Market Drayton town clerk, said: "As a town council we have to look at Greenfields as a whole. The football club is a small bit of it.

"They are already at capacity at Greenfields and there will be more people who want to use the sport facilities when the new homes are built.

"We are going to have a meeting about the neighbourhood plan and look at all the responses today.

"It is still a draft document and is far too early for any business plans.

"In terms of finances the sale of the land would support the move."

Martyn Davies, Market Drayton Town Football Club team manager, said he was very passionate about the club getting its own improved ground.

He said: "The club is growing, we have outgrown the current facility and need something bigger, more modern and state of the art.

"I don't think locality matters, I am just very passionate that we need a new ground and soon."