January 2004

Dennis Elliott has secured the return of last season’s goalkeeper Lee Richards. Lee who recently had a (very) brief spell with St Alban's City played against Dunstable Town on Saturday.

In a season somewhat bereft of good news we are happy to report that approval in principle has been received for a grant to fund considerable improvement work. Chairman John Edgeworth has stated that “Representatives from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, a branch of the Football Foundation, were invited to visit the club on 12th January to consider our proposed application for various necessary and urgent improvements to our ground. As a result they have agreed to the club submitting an application for funding in respect of replacement of the pitch, including a new drainage system which they estimate will cost in the region of £50,000. Along with new floodlight pillars and lights to a value of 160 lux (soon to become the standard for non-league football) at an estimated cost of £35,000, and a replacement boundary wall to the north, east and west sides of the ground estimated at £35-40,000. It is expected that the total cost of £125,000 will be supported by the FSIF to the tune of around 60-70%, leaving the club short by some £37,500 to £50,000, which we would need to generate from our own resources, we are hopeful that it will be possible to raise the required figure via loans, etc. It is possible, however, that the issue of safety relating to the wall and the floodlights may generate a higher percentage of funding, thereby reducing the amount the club would have to find itself"

Chairman John Edgeworth has asked for the following statement to be released :- A meeting has been arranged with the Council 6th February 2004 to hopefully finalise terms for a new 99 Year Lease for the Club. Accompanying me to that meeting will be Mr Jeff Nesland of JKN Associates who is attending the meeting to explain to the Council the various funding opportunities that would be available to them in respect of any considered brand new complex plans at Mayesbrook Park, once the new Regeneration Programme for Barking Park and Mayesbrook Park commences in 2005. Jeff was once an employee of the Sports Council but now works privately assisting clubs in obtaining funding. We have arranged a further meeting for Friday 13th February when an important representative of the Football Foundation will explain to the Council their role in respect of requirements for funding major sports complex developments. A project such as this would, of course, need to be supported with funding from Barking and Dagenham Council, and as you know their record to date in this respect has not been that good, I am hopeful however that with the input and support we are receiving from such a prestigious organisation as the Football Foundation it will encourage them to consider that such a project is both feasible and worthwhile. I will advise of any future developments in due course.

John Edgeworth