Selling Wincham Park

This “Information meeting for shareholders” about the “latest negotiations on the sale of our valuable freehold property”,…what does it mean?? How could we sell for enough to buy a freehold piece of land elsewhere AND build a ground good enough for wg=here we want to be??? The sums just don’t add up!! don’t let em do it, we’ll be sold down the river VOTE AGAINST ANY SALE OF THE GROUND!!!

marston mauler wrote:

How can you make such judgements without knowing the facts?

I suggest you make sure you are there on Thursday, listen to the news that Chairman has to give, and then pass comment and judgement. There is one thing I can say is that the current board is made up mainly of loyal Wittonners, and as such, there is no way they would sell us down the river!!

In fact it is very refreshing that before they make any important decisions that they have thought to discuss this very important issue with the shareholders and fans. Having been involved with Witton Albion since 1991, I know of similar important decisions in the past, announced at AGM’s as fate accompli. (Yes, even when I was on the board!!!)

Hear,hear TT.
Let’s just be there on Thursday and listen to what Mr.chairman has to say.
Isn’t it great to see the openness which was nonexistent in previous “regimes”.
Such posts do no good at all.

Sometimes you just have to trust people and I for one am quite happy to trust our chairman and the board. How about having a word with Lostock Gralam? There is a field next to their ground we could buy for parking and a new club and Lostock themselves are in the process of improving the ground and facilities. Failing that, how about another “go” at Moss Farm? There are quite a few alternatives without having to deal with them across the canal.
WHS.

Moss Farm would be the best option with a new estate/village and road infrastructure due to be built next door to it. The complex itself is in need of redevelopment and an investor such as Witton would be able to establish itself as a majority stakeholder, especially with Cheshire West & Chester not being able to afford it and Northwich Rugby unlikely to have any large financial input into any redevelopment at the site.

The chairman has no ‘hidden agenda’ when it comes to looking at the options in front of us and is not out for personal gain. This is reflected by the regularity of the information meetings being staged and the general openness towards any future sale. He has to progress this confidentially as sharing information at certain times may weaken any negotiation position we have.

My personal thoughts remain that we are in no rush, any deals based on land at the moment will not necessarily attract their highest value. Our present stadium facility more than caters for our current needs and I am less of the belief that a relocation to the opposite side of town will add any considerable numbers to our fan base. I have always been concerned that we have the personnel to competently pull-off any relocation project (with the current officials all volunteering spare hours beyond their regular jobs).

Now having said the above, financially we are currently living ‘hand to mouth’ (nothing unusual in that at this level), to grow the club in the future may mean that moving is the best option. One of the reasons for this is that we currently generate very little revenue from the ground/land on anything other than one Saturday every fortnight (plus some rent on the alternate weekends). With a reasonably low fan base (given the small catchment area we are in), we need to look at other sources of money. If by relocating we could establish for example artificial pitches, leisure facilities, social club (open 7 days), etc then this revenue would be a stable income for the overall development of the club.

The Chairman has always maintained that any agreement to move has to be on the basis that we receive land and a purpose built stadium in the new location as part of any deal, without this a deal on the sale of Wincham Park would not be done.

This is always a passionate subject when a club look to move, we need to be open minded to progress and at the same time realistic in what we want to achieve. All of that may also mean that right now we are better staying where we are!

Wherever we play we sill be Witton Albion. We have moved at least twice that I know of, Witton is still in business.
WHS.

This coud be a good opportunity. If we sell and move to somewhere just as ‘out of town’ as wincham then nothing will change other than the possibility of a one off profit if we make on it.

However if relocate with a real strategic longer term plan to increase revenue and include community then Witton can grow.

We should not make the mistake of building a huge ground that we dont need as there would be no atmoshere with 200-800 people in it which is the most we will get in non league apart from the odd one off.

We should build a stadium fit for purpose:
with good facilities
with other sports facilities
with opportunity to generate greater revenues
easy to get to
good parking
near large communities who should be included

We do not need a huge stadium BUT we do aspire to better things and have ambition so we should ensure that we build a stadium that is scaleable to our needs. If in a few years Witton prosper and look like able to achieve consistent football at higher levels then the option to extend rather than relocate should be an easy one.

I am not sure Lostock is the answer as I can not see where the extra revenues come from - slow and sleazy closing? wait and see how the new curry house does! but Moss Farm certainly an opportunity as it is the sports hub of the town where Witton could get involved with sports in the town in general, involved with the community and support a lot more than football.

Witton can only survive hand to mouth on their own BUT in partnership with local council, local communities, schools, charities, grants and more than just football Witton can underline its status as ‘The Peoples Club’ ‘The Town Club’ -

Witton Albion Football Club, the Centre of Excellence for Sport for the people of Northwich and Mid Cheshire, working with the community for the community to promote and enhance the health and wealth of Mid Chehire.

A nice dream but will the people who live nearby buy it? I don’t think so. I think we have to look at the land across from Tall Trees in Rudheath and any other semi derelict land.
WHS.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts! Some interesting ideas really the only one to move y=the Albs on would be Moss farm, and would the club own land as an asset freehold there, or be a tenant? Do the sums of movimg again really add up, we have a well run club living within it’s means-surely we will rise up when others who are propped up with directors loans etc fail!! The information meeting will be interesting and I will try to make it if possible. Anyone else as miffed as me to the Cod Army doing so well?? or to read a review of the southern jessies league and no mention of the Alb as contenders for the title!! Cummon Albion!!