Government cash may help Tigers
GOVERNMENT funding could be the answer to getting Gloucester City Football Club playing back on home turf.
The Tigers are fighting to return to the city by the 2010/11 season but progress on a new ground is slow.
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Now city councillor Jeremy Hilton, chairman of the task group which is working with the club, has said Government support could be vital.
"There has been no offer of Government money," he said.
"But the proposals I have seen not only suggest a new stadium but flood protection to a lot of houses and I would have thought the Government would be looking to help."
Coun Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) was speaking after the latest meeting of the task group, which saw a presentation by the football club of its latest plans.
The club is looking at the stadium at Meadow Park in Sudmeadow Road as a viable option for when the Tigers finally make their move back to Gloucester.
Last month Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, joined officials from the Environment Agency and planning officers to tour the ground which was destroyed during the floods of July 2007.
Coun Hilton said he could understand fans frustration at the slow progress but urged patience.
"I understand the fans are getting restless," he said.
"The existing stadium at Meadow Park is in a site which has been shown to flood.
"In order to resolve that issue is a rather complicated process which needs to be looked at with great care
"It's a tough and complicated process to work out what the club needs to do.
"There are issues to overcome in planning terms."
The task group is set to meet again on July 9.
Coun Hilton added: "Getting Gloucester City back home is in the hands of the club.
"There is work to do in the next month, progress has been made and we will now be meeting more frequently."
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by MikeSmith_Glos, Saintbridge
Thursday, June 18 2009, 7:15PM
“Much as I have sympathy for Gloucester City, as a beleaguered tax payer I object to any of my hard-earned money going to 11 players kicking a bit of leather around a field, Especially when I see footballers being bought and sold like cattle for obscene amounts of money (the amount paid for Ronaldo would pay our EU subscription for two whole days!) The same players take home (I won't say 'earn') vast amounts of money most of us can only dream about.
Yes, grass roots clubs should be helped but cannot these big clubs put their hands in their bottomless pockets to help out. The FA should impose a levy on them for distribution to struggling clubs like Gloucester City.”
by martin roberts, gloucester
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 5:56PM
“The only team in the county to win something of note,....yeah two games in the play offs......close them down”
by Paul, Churchdown
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 4:48PM
“I totally agree with the suggestion of a demonstration march from Meadow Park to the council offices. Gloucester City football club has fought hard during tough times over the last 2 seasons to win promotion. As they will be playing in the Conference North next season, it is the minimum they deserve for their efforts.”
by chris, hucclecote
Wednesday, June 17 2009, 7:00AM
“City need a new home, Going back to play on what is or was a flood plain is daft, But city need to find a new home fast, As city are playing all there matches away, From where they should be there home GLOUCESTER.”
by Chris, Kingsway
Tuesday, June 16 2009, 7:33PM
“Round and round and round we go, when will this start moving... nobody knows.
I really hope this starts moving foward quickly and positive, concrete comments are only given from here on in as these continual copy cat sound bites have become more than tedious.
Without a doubt, going into our third year away from Gloucester soon is too long and we simply HAVE to return to Gloucester next season, demotion in a year due to having no ground is unthinkable after what was achieved last season and if it were to happen then the council are nothing but an utter disgrace in their lack of productivity.
The noise, or lack of, coming from those in power is unacceptable and the same soundbites every couple of months isnt fooling anyone anymore. Gloucester is the biggest City that does not have a football league club, the potential is massive, past gates in the last 10 years or so of 2, 3 and 4,000 have proved that the support IS there. The council, local MP's and planners have to realise this and get their fingers out and get "The Tigers" roaring back in the City. Gloucester RFC failed last year, yet against all the odds Gloucester City succeeded with a minimal budget, hungry local young players and fans having to make 40+ mile round trips for home matches. Now do your part and dont fail us - the patient supporters that are counting on you all to keep to your promises. We did not bark from the rooftops to think of us first when Meadow Park was flooded, in fact we have continued to show a dignifed patience if anything realising that peoples homes and lives certainly come before us. However its been over 2 years now and we have been ignored and in the shadows for too long, Gloucester City AFC, its staff, players (from the 1st team to the ladies to the kids), officials and supporters deserve some respect. Please start showing us some.”