Mad Eyed Screamer
Moderator
Looks like the club that were bigger than us just 16 years ago are in trouble again. Hope they don't lose their ground, will be the death of them.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/stockport-countys-edgeley-park-ground-9492207
Stockport County's Edgeley Park ground 'could be bought by the council to stop it being bulldozed'
Town hall bosses approached about buying ground after owners Cheshire Sports receive offer from developers who might knock it down
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/stockport-countys-edgeley-park-ground-9492207
Stockport County's Edgeley Park ground 'could be bought by the council to stop it being bulldozed'
Town hall bosses approached about buying ground after owners Cheshire Sports receive offer from developers who might knock it down
- The move comes after a third party reportedly put in a bid to owners Cheshire Sports to buy the stadium - home to County for 114 years - and potentially demolish it.
In 2012, the football club approached the council to buy the ground, then valued at around £1.5m.
One reported option is for the town hall to borrow the cash, buy the ground and lease it back to the club at an advantageous rate.
There are no ‘protections’ in place for the ground, although any buyer could face planning difficulties as the pitch is technically considered open space.
It is understood the council has been asked to buy the stadium at the same price offered by the third party. It is thought the asking price is around £2m.
The ground is currently leased to the club by Cheshire Sports, owned by Sale Sharks majority owner, Brian Kennedy.
But it is understood County cannot afford the rent.
A senior source said: “Somebody has offered a price - which is a firm offer. Because the other party want to demolish the stadium, the group leaders are minded to do it.”
Another senior source told the M.E.N: “The council would be stepping in because it would like to give some stability to the club. The council would be buying an asset - not investing in a football club.”
County, said to be in ‘last chance saloon and looking for a way out’, has had financial difficulties for several years and has already been thrown several financial lifelines by the council.
But one council source said the current ‘offer’ would be a difficult one for the hard-up town hall.
An extraordinary council executive meeting has been called on Wednesday, but members of the press and public will not be allowed to attend due to the ‘commercial sensitivity’ of the deal.
Last year, the M.E.N. reported that County were thought to be paying Cheshire Sports around £15,000 a month in rent, before negotiating that down to £80,000 a year - and that books showed a shortfall of £200,000.
The club has received a number of bail-outs and sponsorship deals from the council after going into administration in 2009 - including an £180,000 loan in 2012.
In 2010, the council paid £80,000 to have its logo branded on shirts, matchday advertising and programmes in a bid to keep the club from going under.
The ground is listed as an Asset of Community Value, meaning that any sale by Cheshire Sports would have to be up on hold for six months to give the club supporters ’co-operative group the chance of raising the cash for a bid of its own.
But one source said the clause would not be triggered in the this case.
Cheshire Sports, Stockport County and Stockport council declined to comment.