Mike
Weatherley and Richard Ashworth MEP – Tories for Falmer
Martin
Perry with Richard Ashworth MEP at Withdean Stadium
Following a
meeting with Martin Perry, Chief Executive of Brighton and Hove Albion,
Mike Weatherley, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Brighton Pavilion and
Richard Ashworth, Conservative Member of the European Parliament for the
South-East region, pledged their support for a community stadium at Falmer.
Mike said:
“In our discussions with Martin Perry it is crystal clear to me that the
community stadium is not only what Brighton and Hove Albion need, but also what
the city needs too. The Seagulls aren’t given enough recognition for the work
that they do in the community. Whether
it be in schools, youth clubs or working with underprivileged children.
They are to be congratulated on the stirling work they do.
As well as an excellent home for the club, vital now in Division 1, the
stadium will allow the Seagulls to continue giving something back to the city.
“Football is
our national game and the Albion are the only professional team in Sussex.
It is shameful to think they haven’t got a stadium to match their
prestige. Not only that, Brighton
is the major city in the South. So
the stadium is needed not just for sport, but for other entertainment events
such as concerts. The opportunities
are potentially fantastic. Unlike
the old Goldstone ground, which I have found memories of going to as a young
boy, the new stadium would be a jewel for Brighton and Hove.
“I was at the
victory parade on Sunday. It may
have been raining but the cities enthusiasm for a sport and entertainment
stadium is by no means diluted. It
is as strong as ever. Lets put
Brighton and Hove on the map as the leisure capital of the South.
A football club is part of the fabric of the community and unites
everyone. Young and old alike.
It would be a disaster if Albion were not given permission for this
community arena.”
After a tour of
Withdean to see for himself why facilities just are not up to the standard
required for a Division 1 football club, Richard Ashworth said:
“I am
strongly in favour of the community stadium at Falmer.
I played rugby at Withdean many years ago and it is simply just not good
enough for a First Division football team – Leeds for example are going to be
allocated just under 800 seats for their match – I suspect they may need more!
The alternative to this 21st Century arena par excellence just
doesn’t bear thinking about. The
club may even be forced to ground share outside the city, which I do not find
acceptable at all.
“Albion’s
proposals have been very thorough in considering all the options. They have
spent a small fortune on this planning proposal.
Falmer is the only site big enough to be developed in what would be a
major all-round entertainment venue. The
other proposed sites eg Shoreham Harbour, Sheepcote Valley and the Brighton
Station site (which is now being developed for alternative use anyway) have huge
infrastructure problems including adding to the traffic already congesting the
city centre.
In 1999 a massive 84% of people voted in favour of the Falmer plans in a referendum. So the people have spoken. Five years have been wasted. It is time for action, and start building a stadium we can all be proud of.”
