Linnets’ rivals eye new stadium build

Over the weekend I read with interest the thoughts of Marine CEO James Leary who has unveiled plans for a new £8 million stadium to be built to replace the Merseyside-based team’s current ground.The Linnets National League North rivals’ ambitious ideas include a 5000-capacity stadium, gymnasium and a 3G pitch on the eight-acre site in the Edge Lane area of the city.Although at present the plans remain at an early stage all parties involved in the project appear keen to get the ‘spades in the ground’ as quickly as possible and turn the dreams into reality sooner rather than later.Marine’s current Rossett Park Stadium is a nod to the past with a 2300 capacity, with the club limited as to what it can do to improve the current facilities as things stand.It is something that other clubs will have to think about in the future if they wish to continue a positive progression in years to come, with the Linnets being no different to anyone else on that front.First and foremost, The Walks is a tremendous non-league ground which, on a good day with a packed ground, has a unique atmosphere which is up with the best in the world of non-league football.But, in years to come, will they have to up sticks and move to a new home if they do continue with the plans that they currently appear to be chasing? At the moment the ground is owned by West Norfolk Council with the club in a rental agreement with them to use the stadium, something that has now been in place for many years. Currently, the ground is adequate for the level Lynn plays at and holds easily the crowds that attend games there throughout the season generally.My thinking generally, however, revolves around what’s off the pitch and the area the ground is located in.When the stadium was first built the provision of adequate car parking wasn’t given a thought, there was no need to with only a very small percentage of people owning a car. Back in those days, most people walked to the ground and the bus was the king of public transport.The two small car parks, behind either goal, are nowhere near large enough to hold the number of cars that people use to attend matches for a league fixture, let alone say, an FA Cup tie with 4000 or so people in attendance. The club have tried to improve facilities off the pitch as best as they can and to a degree these changes have made some differences.However, most of those changes are small ones, refurbishment of the main existing facilities to make them more hospitable for use in the 2020s. The main problem the club faces however, is that of a general lack of space around the ground which could be used to generate valuable extra income that all clubs need to make them a viable proposition.There is no space to build a gym or a 3G pitch or say a new eatery, even if money was available to do so.This is why probably a new location in the years to come for Lynn Football Club is a must, rather than a maybe.I’m well aware that The Walks in its current guise, holds so many fond memories for so many people – I know as I’m one of them. It would be a big upheaval if ever the decision was taken to relocate and for me, supporters would have to be involved in much of the input when it came to location and stadium design.Those of you of a certain vintage will remember Grantham Town’s old London Road ground which is now home to a well-known chain of supermarkets.The atmosphere and noise created there struck fear into many a decent team which coincided with one of the best periods of the club’s history. As mentioned the ground was sold for building with the football club moving to a local sports centre complete with an athletics track, thus meaning while watching a game you seem a mile away from the action.Ever since the move the club never really recovered to its former glories with many citing the atmosphere caused by the supporters’ detachment from the edge of the pitch as one of the reasons. Athletics tracks and football never go together which is why any future move must not involve the two sports.Better and larger facilities available to hire in the week, as well as weekends, would boost income in a substantial way as well as further raise the club’s profile as more than just a football club.Any such move is probably years away (indeed if it ever happens at all) but as a club, every avenue has to be explored, just as rivals Marine have proved.The Linnets finally removed a ‘monkey from their back’ last Saturday with a fine 1-0 win at fellow promotion rivals Curzon Ashton. Town’s recent record against Curzon wasn’t great but I felt that it was a good time for Lynn to travel up to Manchester as the hosts have been struggling for goals of late, which continued at the weekend with Tommy Hughes grabbing the only goal of the game with a fine solo effort.I, for one, was pleased for Hughes as I rate him highly and provided he keeps fit will be a vital part of Adam Lakeland’s team with the final run in approaching.Hereford visit The Walks on Saturday, with Oxford City following them to Norfolk next Tuesday, as the club enter another busy spell of National League North games.Weekend visitors Hereford have been just outside of the play-off places for most of the season with inconsistency being their main problem, as it is for the majority of teams in the league. Oxford on the other hand have been battling away at the other end of the table and have, in recent weeks, pulled themselves away from the relegation scrap, which is just as close as the battle at the top.Both games will be difficult for Lakeland’s side but they do now need to go on a run of winning games to help with the promotion plans they still harbour.The play-off picture may be a little clearer as you read this column with ten league fixtures planned for last evening (Tuesday).Lynn incidentally was without a fixture.