Stadium can be kick start

DIRECTOR Mike Newton believes Athletic’s proposed move to a new stadium in Failsworth can act as a catalyst for a successful future.

And Mr Newton, recently appointed to the board of directors at Boundary Park, points to other clubs who have profited and prospered from a transfer to state-of-the-art facilities.

He explained: “It helps propel a club forward when a move takes place and it is often accompanied by success on the playing side.

“It creates a lot of momentum and gives clubs an extra kick as happened when Stoke and Hull moved to new stadiums.”

Mr Newton added that there are some people who still don’t believe there is a need to move to a new stadium.

And while Mr Newton believes the recession is largely behind dwindling attendances, he is confident they will increase at a new ground.

He continued: “I think attendances will go up when a new stadium is pleasant to visit and is not as chilly as it is here, and when the ground has four sides instead of three.

“But it is important we encourage people to come to games now and not necessarily wait for the new stadium.”

Athletic managing director Simon Corney added the club still hopes to start building work on their new stadium in Failsworth in Spring 2010 despite meeting opposition.

“It is not a done deal and there are still a few hurdles to overcome,” he explained.

Mr Corney added that as custodians of the club they believe they have made the right decision to move.

He also pointed out there has been a lot of support for the move to their proposed new 12,000 seat stadium which would be built at the Lancaster Club, the BAE Systems sports ground on Broadway.

Mr Corney said: “There has been so much positive feedback it has been incredible. It has come in the form of telephone calls, messages and texts.

“You only hear bad news ,which is the way of the world which we understand, but there is a lot of positive news and a lot of people are behind it.

“We are sure we have made the right decision for the future of the club which is why we are pressing on with it.”