Farnborough Football Club are delighted to announce that they have today signed a building contract with Stadium Solutions for the development of the new South Stand at the Prospect Road End of Cherrywood Road.
The construction of a new stand has become “The Holy Grail” for many ‘Boro supporters who have waited many years to see this development commence.
Planning permission was originally granted for the stand in 2004 and various previous regimes had endeavoured to undertake to build the development, but to no avail.
However the development is finally going to happen after the contracts were signed today.
Soon after putting pen to paper, Farnborough’s Chairman Simon Hollis commented;
“I am delighted we have finally got this matter resolved and to have signed up with Stadium Solutions and the Football Foundation. I am aware that there has a been a silence from the club regarding news on this development, however we believe that actions speak louder than words and only wanted to make an announcement when the matter was tied up.
There has been a lot of ongoing effort to bring this matter to a conclusion and I am sure that the stand will be a source of pride for all Farnborough supporters, it really will take Cherrywood Road to a new level.
The stand has not been easy to design as it now incorporates a concourse with many additional facilities, such as much needed toilet provision, a catering outlet, bar, communal areas, and fantastic facilities for disabled supporters.
The only slight disappointment is that the stand was intended to be a standing terrace with the ability to convert to seating if ever required, however to accommodate the facilities to the concourse we have had to make the stand seated from day one in order to gain the additional height needed within the concourse area.
In the current economic climate, when money is very hard to raise and most football clubs and businesses are cutting back it has been difficult to undertake this development, however if we had not proceeded with it then the Football Foundation grant would have been lost and the opportunity would have gone.
The cost of the development contract is £425,000, and the additional professional and consultants fees will take the total cost in the region of £500,000, this however does not allow for the fitting out of the concourse.
The development is being funded by a Football Foundation grant of £150,000, the club are committing £250,000, and the balance is intended to be raised through fundraising, with FaST pledging to raise at least £50,000 of this sum.”
Fundraising commenced alongside the reforming of Farnborough Football Club ahead of the 2007/2008 season, the highest profile event being the “Stand Up for the PRE” sponsored walk last Easter Monday, where over 60 supporters walked from Cherrywood Road to Fleet Town Football Club ahead of that afternoon’s league match, over £6000.00 was raised through this venture alone.
