FoBC latest: press release - 15 December 2003
FoBC blast Huntington plans
Supporters’ pressure group, the Friends of Bootham Crescent (FoBC) have made their most stinging attack to date on the plans to re-locate York City FC to Huntington Stadium. The group claims that the scheme is littered with flaws, and despite claims to the contrary from the club board, that the conditions attached to the recently-submitted planning application to develop the Huntington Stadium will leave the football club unviable as a business.
FoBC‘s anger is centred around the proposed Transport Plan for the use of the stadium on matchdays. The group claims that literally thousands of supporters will be wiped off the club’s attendance figures due to the highly restrictive nature of the proposals. These restrictions include:-
• All supporters being forced to prove how they have travelled to the ground.
• Supporters wishing to arrive in a private car only being able to do so if they have purchased a permit at the start of the season.
• Supporters who live over 1.5km away from the ground having to apply for permission to walk to the ground.
• Supporters from other parts of the City having to travel considerable distances in order to catch buses to the ground – in many cases driving further than if they had simply gone to the ground.
• Visiting (away) supporters only being able to access the ground by means of a bus journey from Grimston Bar Park & Ride.
• Supporters unable to verify that they have complied with these requirements will be refused entry to the ground.
Speaking today, FoBC spokesperson David Allison was scathing about the plans:- “The application itself is weak, flawed, and completely unworkable. It also contains several blatant untruths. In particular, the ludicrous Transport plan simply proves that the site at Huntington is not suitable for a league football club, because of the proximity to the Monks Cross Shopping Centre, and the inadequate road infrastructure. FoBC believes that the proposed restrictions on travel to the ground would make York City the only football club in the entire world which refuses entry to supporters who want to walk to the ground.”
Mr Allison though, was quick to point the finger of blame at Douglas Craig and Persimmon Homes, rather than the board of York City FC. “Douglas Craig is trying to force York City FC out of Bootham Crescent to line his own pockets. He knows that planning permission will not be granted on that site unless York City are given an alternative venue, and he is hell-bent on getting York City into Huntington at all costs – Persimmon Homes are helping this process in order to help them get planning permission and make a huge profit on Bootham Crescent. The board of York City FC have no option but to accept this state of affairs because they know that the club would be homeless if Craig goes ahead with his threat and evicts the club from Bootham Crescent.
However, Allison commented that FoBC felt that the club was mistaken in their belief that Huntington Stadium was a viable alternative. “With the restrictions now being proposed attendances at the stadium would be pitifully low. The club would have no option but to go part-time, or even fold completely.” Allison was quick to point out the implications for the application by Persimmon to re-develop Bootham Crescent. “Planning law categorically states that in order for Bootham Crescent to be built on, a suitable alternative leisure facility must be available. No-one could now possibly look at the proposals for Huntington and claim they are even remotely suitable. The Planning Committee therefore has no alternative other than to reject the application at Bootham Crescent. FoBC will never accept Huntington Stadium as proposed, and nor will the vast majority of York City supporters. The only sensible option is for Douglas Craig to extend the lease on Bootham Crescent, and forget about selling a community facility for personal gain.”