The proposed development of a new sports village (to include a new football stadium for Scarborough Athletic FC) in the Weaponess district of Scarborough is, of course, something that all Seadogs will warmly welcome, our club have been in exile now since 2007 and we all yearn for a return back to our home town.
Whilst the prospect of Scarborough Athletic FC coming back home does put a spring in the step, there are some aspects of our hoped-for new home that give cause for serious concern.
The main worry is the mooted size and grading of the possible new stadium.
It has been given as a Grade C ground with a capacity of just 2,000 with the ability to increase to 3,000. A Grade C ground is adequate for leagues up to and including Step 3 (which would be the Evo-Stick Premier in our geographical case) but no higher - and therein lies my angst; It will put a cap on the dream.
Rational fans of all clubs have dreams about their club rising up the footballing pyramid to play at the highest level they possibly can. You should never demand success but you should always be able to dream of it.
Take that dream away and something intangible (but vital) disappears.
How less thrilling the victory when you know it will not open new doors, new experiences, new heights - but just keep you towards the top of where you already are (and , if the ground limitation dictates it, always will be)
We are the sons and daughters of Scarborough FC. We now have a new club - Owned and run by our fans. Our new club means so much to us, we are extremely proud. For a town the size of Scarborough and the football traditions we brought with us from the old club, a Grade C ground will only be okay for starters. It is CRITICAL, crucial, important, imperative, key, fundamental, essential, necessary, indispensable and urgent that the design specifications for the new ground give the ability for upgrading to Grades B and ultimately Grade A.
I implore all concerned with ground planning to incorporate this ability. I cannot emphasise enough just how important it is to keep that dream of progression alive, no matter how far off that dream may be just now.
I beg for this, on bended knee.
There are other concerns, the 3G pitch mentioned is just the job for a community based stadium but the FA will not allow home FA Cup ties to be played on it nor will the Conference have it in their Step 1 or 2 leagues. I guess it could be replaced
by natural turf if it came to it.
The 3G pitch is a secondary worry just now. The ability to upgrade the stadium itself is the big one. The important one.
If the ground can grow with the club then we are in clover, but if the ground is a stumbling block to future progression up the footballing pyramid it will then become both home and curse......... and the end of the dream.
