E petition to save Edgeley Park

[marpleexile]

My point was when the club fail to pay their rent as they have done consistently in recent year don't paint the local authority as the bad boys when they perfectly reasonably seek to evict a tenant for none payment of rent. The LA you might find to be a less benign landlord than BK/CS

Except that won't happen because of the "public backlash" when they try it, so instead the council tax payers of Stockport will foot the bill.

[wheels]

My point was when the club fail to pay their rent as they have done consistently in recent year don't paint the local authority as the bad boys when they perfectly reasonably seek to evict a tenant for none payment of rent. The LA you might find to be a less benign landlord than BK/CS

[nipper14]

Having been a County fan for many years I am delighted that SMBC have agreed to buy Edgeley Park, although others would appear to be happy to see County gone forever! I wish the new manager and players every success, and look forward to County regaining league status as soon as possible, and the eventual purchase back of Edgeley Park by County fans.

[RWW]

Up the County! I for one am glad Stockport still has a football team.

[wheels]

No the asset will not fall in value but don't imagine this is necessarily the beginning of a great new future. What happens when the club fails to pay the rent as they have continually done to Cheshire Sports. At that point a Local Authority using public funds only have one option to evict and sell on. The problem has never been CS or the ownership of the ground but rather the mismanagement of the club indeed CS have been more than helpful to the club and are still owed for unpaid rent.

In terms of the petition it's regarded as as a very poor response and further is full of none Stockport Council Tax payers.

[hatter76]

Hello Wheels, I have not come on here to have an argument with people but I think 4.5k signatures in a few days is very good.

When the petition was started the fans were unsure if the Council were going to support the plan.

Its good to see cross party support on this issue. There is little risk to the Council as the asset will not fall in value.

[wheels]

With 4479 signing the E petition many of whom live outside Stockport all the organisers have done is expose how little support they have. A silly move given eve tone had agreed on the way forward weeks ago anyway.

[wheels]

You have to be clear that in County's case the club and the ground are two separate things. To invest in what has been a badly run and managed club would clearly be a waste of public funds. To buy a strategically important piece of land is not the same that happens all y
the time.. The statement above has been drawn up by the three researcher of each of the party groups. Despite what county fans are trying to suggest Wednesdays meeting is of little decision making significance as everyone is agreed on the way forward.
I am sure it has been made clear to County that a missed rental payment will have consequences for them.

[hollins]

The owners of the ground (Cheshire Sport) aren't a failing company - it's just that their tenants (Stockport County) can't afford the rent.

It is not a "cultural icon", it's not part of a "vibrant local community" and it isn't the business of the council to be propping up a far-from-successful football team. It would be an atrocious use of Council Tax payers' money.

There are far more successful sports teams in Stockport with much greater individual participation in sport: Stockport Metro (swimming), Stockport Harriers and AC (running and athletics) - and some good local rugby and cricket clubs.

[amazon]

The local council has no business whatsoever providing financial support to a failing company, whether or not that company is a local sports club or the owners of the ground. The owners need to stand on their own feet or fail.

Sugest then Howard .

[RWW]

"Statement on Edgeley Park 22 June 2015
An opportunity has arisen for Stockport Council to purchase the Edgeley Park Football Ground from the current owners, Cheshire Sport. The Council’s Executive will receive a report on Wednesday recommending that, subject to due diligence, the Council will become owner of the ground.

This is a genuinely commercial arrangement which would enable the establishment of a landlord-tenant relationship between the Council and Stockport County Football Club. Wednesday’s decision would be to purchase a land asset on a cost neutral basis and will therefore not cost Council Tax Payers a penny.

The Council will not, at any stage, be providing financial support to the football club but hope to purchase the ground in order to provide the stability for the team to remain in Stockport and for the club to progress in securing their own longer term future and footballing success.

All political groups on Stockport Council have come together to support this proposal so that the club can stay in Stockport, close to the vibrant local communities of which it is part and to contribute to raising the profile of our thriving Borough.

Councillors in Stockport will monitor the proposals as they develop and reserve the right not to proceed with the purchase if the deal ceases to represent the best interests of Council Tax Payers and of our town.

Cllr Sue Derbyshire
Leader of Stockport Council and the
Liberal Democrat Group

Cllr Alex Ganotis
Leader of the Labour Group

Cllr Syd Lloyd
Leader of the Conservative Group

Cllr Peter Burns
Leader of the Independent Ratepayers Group
http://www.stockport.gov.uk/newsroom/edgeleypark"

[Howard]

The local council has no business whatsoever providing financial support to a failing company, whether or not that company is a local sports club or the owners of the ground. The owners need to stand on their own feet or fail.

[wheels]

There is much in this post that is very misleading. And in any event a petition is about 2 weeks too late.

[hatter76]

Edgeley Park the home of Stockport County is under a possible threat of being demolished. Stockport would lose a great iconic cultural and community asset if this goes ahead.

It looks like one of the last chances to save it is if Stockport MBC provide a loan that would be cost neutral in the long term.

This is not the Premier League, there are no rich investors trying to buy the club.

I know most in Marple are either United or City but many have a second club affiliation to County, please help us out at this time of need and sign the petition. A decision is being made by Stockport MBC on Wednesday PM.

https://www.change.org/p/stockport-metropolitan-borough-council-protect-edgeley-park