A full shower block, a hard-standing terrace behind one goal
and a safe path towards the ground – these are just some of the highlights of
an ambitious ground redevelopment plan that Rothbury Football Club will unveil to
the public at the Newcastle House on Saturday morning between 9am and 12pm.
The plans mark a watershed moment in the club’s long
143-year history as work off the field looks to keep pace with the side’s
development on it, and the club are keen to hear the views of the community at
the open event. The plans will be on display for viewing before the club set
off for their Northern Alliance Division One fixture at Bedlington in the
afternoon.
Manager Dan Herron is excited at the prospect of sharing the
ideas that have gone into bringing Armstrong Park up to standards that wouldn’t
be out of place in the Northern League Second Division, and is confident that
the whole village could see some benefit from the proposed changes.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic to announce the
plans for our new future,” he said.
“There’s been so much hard work gone on
behind the scenes to create what we have. There are massive benefits for the
community, including:
*A safe footpath along to the ground -
improving match day experience by not having to run the gauntlet of the main
road!
* More safety improvements by moving the road
entrance to a more suitable location - massively improved disabled access to
ensure everyone can enjoy the games at Armstrong
* Improved toilets/welfare facilities for
families, juniors and especially females attending the club, catering for
female officials also
* A club room for juniors and seniors to
enjoy, giving RFC a real base for the future - plans to have the facilities
used by schools in the community to ensure we support local kids and promote
our community engagement - and I could go on! It’s absolutely essential to have
them, we wouldn’t be able to progress without them to be honest.”
Herron feels that the plans are Rothbury’s
biggest step forward since their move to Armstrong Park in 1946 and hopes that
people see them as that legacy being carried forward.
With Northumberland FA Groundsman of the
Year Eric Cummings earning all the plaudits for his continually brilliant
surface, the proposed facilities would also be a huge added benefit to Rothbury
FC without having a negative impact on the scenic rural setting that the club
enjoys, as the work would be sympathetic to the locale – also bringing the possibility
of the pitch being used for Cup Finals or other showpiece football events as it
was during the days of the Coquetdale League, and much elevating the status of both the
club and village.
Herron is much enthused by the behind the
scenes work that has gone in so far, and finds it difficult to be pinned down
to one or two developments that would be most advantageous to the Reds.
“There’s so much it’s hard to pick - from a
new car park, to the clubhouse with the stand behind the goal, to the 3G warm-up
area, to raised dugouts, to the club room and facilities themselves, there’s
too much to pick from and people really need to come and see what we’ve worked
on for 18 months,” he said.
Rothbury visit Bedlington in the League
after the presentation, in a game that has already been switched to an
artificial surface to beat the weather.
“We’re on the 4G so the game will definitely
be on, which is a relief. Three weeks in a row with cancellations isn’t ideal.
But the lads are raring to get going on Saturday against tough opponents,” said
Herron.
Comments
Post a Comment