8 replies to this topic

[Blue Monkey]

Just been announced on the club's website. Click on the link below. Another step closer?




http://www.swintonli...oft-update.html

[Bryce]

Sounds like good news to me. It's good that we've got an update after the 3-4 week timescale didn't come off.

Keep up the good work! **"Take me home" plays in the background**

[PhillH]

Not a step closer, but an update no matter how small is better than nothing.

How about trying a new dawn for public relations on this project? Let's see the back of over-ambitious statements made on foundations of sand that cannot be delivered. Let's see some lessons learned from mistakes made with Barton.

If there are 2 serious options, the best way to make sure the right decision is made is to consult more openly NOW and tell people what they are!

[marshy1]

Who in your opinion should they consult more openly with, or are you asking for full public consultation.

[Jonty]

Who in your opinion should they consult more openly with, or are you asking for full public consultation.

My person feeling, Alan, is that consulting openly with all stakeholders is essential, not just to give fans confidence and ownership of the project, but also to foster the relationship with local residents, businesses, schools and, of course, the city council in all of it's forms. There are some great examples in the recent past of this - Bath Rugby, Newport-Gwent RU, and several on the scale of Agecroft, including Imperial Fields in south London, where a new non-league football stadium was built as a community "hub". Could Agecroft be the same?

Maybe it's more difficult. Most of the local residents are either in wooden boxes or concrete cells, but it's still a big community if you look at the wider areas; Littleton Road, Kersal, Broughton - even Cheetham and the Height, in addition to just M27 - all within a mile and a half. If you look six miles away in Moston at what FC United have achieved in a shorter timeframe, it gives a good comparison of what can be done by being open with all members of your community.

Unfortunately the "owners" have done very little - publicly - to engage with the fans. It could be argued that they've spent more years since 2006 antagonising and isolating them, than making them feel part of something. Incidents like the "franchising" out to Darwen with zero respect for the club heritage or fanbase still leave a sour taste in a lot of peoples mouths, and a season like 2011, whilst bringing some back, still leave hundreds isolated. Marketed correctly the stadium could - should - be something that M27 and the wider north Manchester community can identify with, regardless of whether you are one of the core 300, one of the several hundreds of disenfranchised, or just an armchair fan.

The Lions Tales project has recently shown how the wider community can be engaged and is testament to the abilities of people within the fanbase.

[marshy1]

I can see your point along with that of Phil. However I am of the opinion that some things need to be dealt with in house, prior to public knowledge.
That is only my personal opinion and despite my difference in other people's opinion I think we all want the same outcome.

[Jonty]

I think we all want the same outcome.

Absolutely

[PhillH]

My person feeling, Alan, is that consulting openly with all stakeholders is essential, not just to give fans confidence and ownership of the project, but also to foster the relationship with local residents, businesses, schools and, of course, the city council in all of it's forms. There are some great examples in the recent past of this - Bath Rugby, Newport-Gwent RU, and several on the scale of Agecroft, including Imperial Fields in south London, where a new non-league football stadium was built as a community "hub". Could Agecroft be the same?

Maybe it's more difficult. Most of the local residents are either in wooden boxes or concrete cells, but it's still a big community if you look at the wider areas; Littleton Road, Kersal, Broughton - even Cheetham and the Height, in addition to just M27 - all within a mile and a half. If you look six miles away in Moston at what FC United have achieved in a shorter timeframe, it gives a good comparison of what can be done by being open with all members of your community.

Unfortunately the "owners" have done very little - publicly - to engage with the fans. It could be argued that they've spent more years since 2006 antagonising and isolating them, than making them feel part of something. Incidents like the "franchising" out to Darwen with zero respect for the club heritage or fanbase still leave a sour taste in a lot of peoples mouths, and a season like 2011, whilst bringing some back, still leave hundreds isolated. Marketed correctly the stadium could - should - be something that M27 and the wider north Manchester community can identify with, regardless of whether you are one of the core 300, one of the several hundreds of disenfranchised, or just an armchair fan.

The Lions Tales project has recently shown how the wider community can be engaged and is testament to the abilities of people within the fanbase.

And you've not even mentioned the Lions' current "home" ground, the LSV, development of which centred on one of the best community outreach processes that you could wish to find anywhere.

[PhillH]

And talking of FC United - there's a reminder in the MEN today that even if the local authority is positive, that's not necessarily the end of the story.....

http://menmedia.co.u...built-in-moston