Nene Park petition...

[Pigman]

I have mixed feelings, wonderful years supporting the club through some highly successful years, I watched the stadium develop around me, we rode the crest of a wave didn't we - we also crashed and were totally wiped out ........ you can tell I'm heading off to surfer dude country soon can't you? :lol:

At the moment I'm suspicious of anything that involves the current owners. But, and it's a big BUT, I'd like to explore with "the powers that be" what, if anything, we could get from the site or from any deal involving it. If it involve current owners, forget it !! Been there and had fingers well and truly burnt !!

However, you can't ride a wave unless you visit the seaside and get on a surfboard, so let's try to protect the site and influence what goes on there - it's about keeping options open and pushing for the best deal possible, that may not be for the club especially, but for the local community.

This isn't a club run campaign/petition, but it is worth supporting as it will open up the debate about much needed sports/football facilities in the area.

As it stands I wouldn't vote for a return for a vast array of reasons I won't go in to, but who knows what could be tabled in the future - its worth trying to influence that. I've signed, I hope loads of others do!

I'll sign off by saying, I know the emotions involved only too well, but I'll try to be as objective about it as I can be.

[updiamonds]

I feel there is a significant misnomer going on here:

Supporting the petition is NOT saying "I want AFCR&D to play at Nene Park".

Supporting the petition is supporting the continued existence of the Nene Park complex as a sporting facility for community use (despite it's current levels of inactivity on this front).

It would also significantly reduce the financial value of the Nene Park complex for the owners if it was restricted in use more heavily by such a petition...

If/when Nene Park ever becomes and option for AFCR&D I would expect to be presented with a full feasibility study by the board at a members forum, or in advance of a members forum to debate such an issue (and be followed by a full membership vote). This is not the issue being discussed by the petition.

Well said Jemfy, I couldn't agree with you anymore.

[Pigman]

I feel there is a significant misnomer going on here:

Supporting the petition is NOT saying "I want AFCR&D to play at Nene Park".

Supporting the petition is supporting the continued existence of the Nene Park complex as a sporting facility for community use (despite it's current levels of inactivity on this front).

It would also significantly reduce the financial value of the Nene Park complex for the owners if it was restricted in use more heavily by such a petition...

If/when Nene Park ever becomes and option for AFCR&D I would expect to be presented with a full feasibility study by the board at a members forum, or in advance of a members forum to debate such an issue (and be followed by a full membership vote). This is not the issue being discussed by the petition.

Spot on !!

[ChorltonV]

I think my thoughts echo along the same line as many others on this issue. I hold Nene Park in great regard for all the memories I have of the place, however I have long since divorced myself from it and have enjoyed everything that has happened since the formation of AFC.

My heart says we shouldn't go back and that in our current guise the place doesn't fit our current set-up.

However, Pride always comes before a fall, and currently all the petition asks is, "do you want Nene Park to be saved as a community facility". I think it would be foolish for any local resident not to want a voice in this discussion. By signing the petition all you do is add weight to the discussion taking place. If it can't be made to work, we walk away, but if we are petitioning local politicians to help us in our quest for a permanent home and we are offered Nene Park as a viable solution and then kick it back we will weaken our position significantly. I see no choice but to engage. This petition asks nothing more, and if you're a fan of the club, you should sign.

[Trek]

....... currently all the petition asks is, "do you want Nene Park to be saved as a community facility". I think it would be foolish for any local resident not to want a voice in this discussion. By signing the petition all you do is add weight to the discussion taking place. If it can't be made to work, we walk away, but if we are petitioning local politicians to help us in our quest for a permanent home and we are offered Nene Park as a viable solution and then kick it back we will weaken our position significantly. I see no choice but to engage. This petition asks nothing more, and if you're a fan of the club, you should sign.

Exactly.

Most of us recognise that the Stadium in it's current guise is not 'fit for purpose' for a local club's needs. In fact it became not 'fit for purpose' over 10 years ago when crowds dropped below 5,000 and RDST and then KC stopped subsidising the hire rates etc for the Diamonds Centre complex, which were heavily subsidised during Griggs ownership.