Martin Mullaney
This will be one of the ideas to be put to a private, closed meeting of representatives of stadium users on 8th October. Two representatives from each of the football clubs that use the stadium will be invited to the meeting, along with Chris Baker, Erdington’s senior constituency manager, at which they will discuss the future of the stadium following the collapse of the ’soccer village’ plans.
Some time later, Chris Baker intends to report to a meeting of the 2005 Group at the CVCHA offices.
The Council’s proposed partnership with a private company from the north east of England finally hit the dust when the City’s legal team called time on a deal that has been stuttering for four years.
Local residents will be keen to know what has happened to the £600,000 that they believed the Housing Action Trust had left for the development of the stadium. They will be disappointed.
A large part of the money has already been spent on development of the paddock and playing fields. Martin Mullaney says that the original pot of money was made up from three separate sources. The HAT’s contribution amounted to £160,000. A further £280,000 was money promised by a private developer, with the Council adding an additional £220,000. In total, the sum raised was £660,000 but, according to Mr Mullaney £288,000 has been spent on the new paddock. He says: “We are expecting to spend between £90,000 to £100,000 this winter laying out the new football pitches. That would leave about £220,000 for connecting the toilets to the main sewer – at the moment it goes to a cess pit – and hopefully new changing rooms.”
He is certain that Castle Vale residents could do a good job of managing their own stadium. He said: “If the idea of a Trust goes ahead, the City Council will continue to own the site, but the Trust, which would have a group of elected directors, could manage it. They would be working in an official capacity, holding an annual general meeting, and managing and maintaining the stadium. The Trust would pay a peppercorn rent to the council for the stadium. Castle Vale is passionate about its stadium, and they could do an excellent job.”
Another option that will be put to the user group meeting will be to invite other private companies to bid to develop the stadium. In view of the experience of the last four years, and in the current financial downturn, this option may get short shrift. Some stadium users have expressed concern about the current state of the building and will want urgent action.
Councillor Mullaney agrees that money needs to be spent to repair broken plumbing and on various refurbishments.
He has also indicated that the judo enthusiasts from Hardy Spicer Judo Club who had hoped to have a section of the ’soccer village’ allocated to them, are now looking for another site in Castle Vale: “We are presently working with the club, Sport England and the British Judo Association to find a new home somewhere closer to the old Hardy Spicer works.”
36 Comments
September 25, 2009 at 2:16 pm
haha this must be a joke, you think the people off castle vale are going to be able to run the vale stadium you must be having a laugh!!
If jks are anything to do with it then that is a laugh!!
September 25, 2009 at 4:39 pm
To **** whats ‘people off castle vale’ meant to mean? Dxxxhead (edited)
September 25, 2009 at 5:01 pm
There are plenty of people on Castle Vale more than capable of running the stadium. I also know people from JKS that are committed hardworking individuals who would be perfect for getting involved in this.
My one concern is no gym…….
Perhaps the swimming baths can get some money towards providing this facility, after all Windley and Erdington baths both have gyms why not ours?
September 25, 2009 at 5:22 pm
JEAN your a d***head!!!
im from castle vale so i know people off castle vale are not capable of running it!!
September 28, 2009 at 9:14 am
Alright mate…i run a very successful company, much more than a stadium would take to run.
September 26, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I agree with Sammy, I think that if the gym has to be moved from the comp, the swimming baths would probably be the most suitable place to put it.
September 28, 2009 at 10:30 am
Jean,i think our friend ***** is of very poor stock, to be honest i would guess he has a brand new brain ,that has never been used.
and i do believe that jks are more than capable of running the vale stadium,personally they are the best people for the job.
September 28, 2009 at 10:50 am
agree!
September 28, 2009 at 12:59 pm
I think castle vale j.k.s are more then capable of running the stadium, as they run the largest community voluntary group on the estate. They should me given the leading role as they have run successfully for the past 12years.
September 30, 2009 at 6:07 pm
There is no way JKS should even hav an opportunity to the Vale Stadium as that wouldnt be fair to all the other football teams from Castle Vale that play the stadium. JKS are a joke and there is no way what so ever they should even be allowed. I am a Castle Vale member and have been since birth and do know that JKS ARE NOT CAPABLE of running a football stadium, they can just about run a football team haha. None of the football teams should run the stadium and no one with the teams should. It should go to members of Castle Vale that have the stadiums interests to heart.
September 30, 2009 at 6:12 pm
JUST FOR ALL OF YOUR RECORDS THERE WILL BE NO FOOTBALL TEAM WOULD WILL BE INVOLVED WITH THE RUNNING OF THE VALE STADIUM, ALSO ANY TRUST GROUPS OF THE FOOTBALL TEAMS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
THIS IS FROM AN OFFICIAL BIRMINGHAM CITY COUNCIL SOURCE !!!
October 1, 2009 at 9:48 am
RUBBISH
September 30, 2009 at 8:25 pm
The whole point of this is that the money that has been promised to Castle Vale for many many years isn’t lost.
If the people that are interested in this development do not act the money will be gone next year!
September 30, 2009 at 10:01 pm
i think the residents of castle vale deserve a public meeting. they have a right to know what is going on.
October 1, 2009 at 11:06 am
There is a 2005 meeting on Tuesday 6th of Oct. Start time 5:30 at CVCHA.
Chris Backer will be attending the meeting and the stadium will be discussed.
For anyone that is interested in the development I would urge them to attend this meeting. People need their questions answered and ideas of a way forward need to be heard and taken in.
If people attend this meeting and make their points in a ordered & positive way this should encourage the council to hold a public meeting specifically for the football stadium development.
This meeting could be the first step to getting the ball rolling for Castle Vales stadium! So be there!
September 30, 2009 at 11:47 pm
so you think jks haven’t got a clue about running a club,i would say that you are a silly little person with little knowledge of the game,if it wasn’t for these people your kids and ours wouldn’t have any were to go.my vote would be to let the people like jks run the stadium,look at the shambles that are over there now ,now that’s a joke
October 1, 2009 at 1:25 pm
with reading these comments from jks officials
the young children are being taken for advantage
with overcharge with subs.
no prober coaching,
and money from subs pays for stadium football
and no more then 3/4 players are from the estate
castle vale jags are 100% castle vale and so are spitfire fc.
end of.
October 1, 2009 at 2:56 pm
right here we go my name is graham and i am the jks chairman,first i don’t hide behind my computer.
1. jks subs ARE the cheapest in birmingham
2.jks HAVE 6 players from the vale and a mixture of lads that have played for jks for over 5 years.
3.none of the junior subs pay for the stadium, make sure you have your facts right so we can show the judge, when we do you for making false statements.
4.ALL OF JKS COACHES ARE FA QUALIFIED
5.now all you guys hiding behind your computer making loads of noises ,either put up or shut up,you really haven’t got a clue what your going on about .
6.oh did i tell you that JKS has OVER 180 kids playing football week in week out, ALL FROM CASTLEVALE .
7. see you all at the meeting ,come and speak to me.
October 1, 2009 at 2:59 pm
no one from jks has made any comments regarding the stadium,please GET your facts right and stop hiding behind your computer.
October 24, 2009 at 9:25 am
go graham!!!!!!
October 1, 2009 at 6:40 pm
HAVING PUT A LETTER IN ASKING PEOPLE IF THEY REMEMBERED CV COMP BEING USED FOR THE SETTING OF A PLAY WHICH WAS SHOWN ON TV IN 81/83 HAD NO REPLIES. MANY LOCAL CV SCHOOL PUPILS WERE USED AS SET EXTRAS DURING FILMING, SOME MAY STILL LIVE ON THE VALE AND WOULD NOW BE AGED BETWEEN 39 AND 45 ISH, WHERE ARE THEY NOW? AND DO THEY REMEMBER THEIR MOMENT OF FAME. THIS IS A POSITIVE PIECE OF VALE NOSTALGIA FROM A TIME OF VALE HISTORY WHEN THE VALE RECIEVED BAD PRESS ONLY. CANT REMEMBER THE PLAYS NAME, BUT THE FICTITIOUS SCHOOL WAS NAMED MEADOW RISE. THERE MAY EVEN BE SOME ONE WHO HAS A COPY ON VHS OR BETAMAX. C OME ON VALE PEOPLE DIG INTO YOUR MEMORIES.
October 12, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I remember this, and may be able to get my hands on a copy.Most of the guys in my year were extras in this and it would be great to bring it back to life.Do you know who produced it? e-mail me with details to forward on.
October 14, 2009 at 4:24 pm
CANT REMEMBER WHO PRODUCED IT, BUT IT ACTUALLY MADE IT ON TO OUR TV SCREENS. THE LEAD ACTRESS WAS NOT FROM THE VALE, BUT AT THE TIME SHE WORE A BIKERS LEATHER, SIMILAR TO WHAT THE VALE PUNKS WORE CIRCA 80-85. THERE MUST BE MORE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT REMEMBER IT AND ITS PROPER NAME. THE FICTICIOUS SCOOL WAS DEFINITELY CALLED MEADOW RISE. THE VALE THEN WAS NOT AS BAD AS TODAYS OPINION SAYS SAYS IT WAS.
October 2, 2009 at 4:11 pm
The JKS directors/coaches/managers can barely run a team never mind a stadium. Most teams end up being run by a parent.This is from someone who has been involved with the club for a number of years. I have seen first hand and also heard from parents and coach/managers alike. JKS are known as a team only interested in the money! As long as the subs are collected! Is Graham sure that his subs are cheapest in Birmingham? Am not even sure that the coaches are FA Qualified, truly dont want to be mean but anyone who has seen the kids being trained would, I’m sure, agree with me. Common gripe amongst parents is as long as money collected teams are more or less left to run themselves. Graham boasted that he has “180 kids playing football week in week out” does he not then think he has a responsibility to give them a good standard of coaching. Castle Vale School do a better training session on a Thursday evening and it’s free. Think it would be a better idea all round if an independant body were in charge of the stadium. But definately not JKS
October 2, 2009 at 5:30 pm
i couldnt agree more with what paula has said.
well said!
October 2, 2009 at 5:30 pm
paula if thats your real name like i said before cheapest in birmingham,all coaches fa qualified ,and yes you have only one good valid point,a lot of our coaches are parents ,who love watching their kids play football and love being part of their kids hobbies,that’s why they give up there spare time week in week out,going on courses ,
as long as subs are collected,now you really dont no me ,ask any parent that i train if i ask them for money,i dont think so,but as you probably don’t understand that a club doesn’t run on fresh air.
and further more if a child can not afford to pay we dont go chasing for there money ,but hey what do you no ,see you at the meeting come and say hello
October 2, 2009 at 5:33 pm
it has always been said that jks are only interested in collecting money.
parents should do what spitfire colts did and break away from jks.
jks are going nowhere!
October 2, 2009 at 5:40 pm
please feel free no one is held to ransom
October 3, 2009 at 1:56 am
all gone quite mr chairman!!!!!!!!!.
you have let yourself down and jks getting involved
with a slacking match.
with local mps reading this and also cabinet members.
you should resign your position.
let somebody with a bit more brain.
October 3, 2009 at 10:46 am
Hey, I’m sure that everyone just wants whats best for the stadium and for Castle Vale. Instead of slagging each other off and putting each other down, why not get yourselves together and discuss the situation. Maybe you might find some common ground and come to some mutual agreement that will be beneficial for us all.
October 4, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Sorry Graham, I appear to have ruffled your feathers! I was just taking up points that you had blatantly made in your earlier comment. There are many parents that love to watch their kids, does that mean they know how to coach them properly? Not knocking anyone for dedication (your coaches) but having seen many teams over the years JKS kids are at a definate disadvantage due to the quality of the coaching and training they receive at base level. Just because we enjoy something doesn’t make us good at it. Have to say Graham you are coming across as slightly aggressive inviting anyone who disagrees with you to “Come and say hello at the meeting”. My comments were fair and were not personal. Honestly, seeing your comments make me think even more JKS involved in stadium is a bad idea. I have been involved in running a number of teams over the years and I know of the level of commitment and all the “behind the scenes” stuff that goes on. For the stadium to be a success it needs to be run as a business by professional minded people. Why not try a board with members of all Castle Vale based teams.
October 4, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Scott – You are quite correct.
Having read comments, it does appear that certain points do need to be understood.
This issue is not just about the Football Stadium or its future , it is about the complete Farnborough Rd development as what was made available to residents in a Report that was submitted in 2004. when the HAT relinquished its responsibility on the area.
In that report, it stated that £400,000 would be made available to support future Planning obligations on Farnborough Rd, as well as £200,000 to support the upgrade of facilities with a view that Private funding would be coming on board. Obviously, as we all know this will not now take place.
The questions, people should be asking is quite simple –
1. Why has it taken 5 years to inform all residents on Castle Vale, that to enable a company to provide facilities to Castle Vale residents that they would have to tender to do this.
2. An application went to Planning Committee months ago requesting Planning permission for the whole scheme to .proceed. Planning was approved and The information that was on that Planning Application was wrong and gave a clear impression that any such proposal would offer facilities to the local community at incorrect times. – Why ?
3. Within the report submitted in 2004, it requested that regular updates be given to the whole community on progress as to the Farnborough Road development and the future of the Stadium and its surrounding facilities.This has not always been the case and peoplle have had to find out for themselves. – Why ?
Councillor Mullaney has put forward a suggestion that the future of the Stadium, can be considered under a Trust option and I can agree with this proposal BUT it cannot be considered seriously for any Football Club to take over its future management. (Before people start jumping at reasing this) The Stadium is part of the Farnboroudgh Road development which includes the Astro Turf and associated facilities.
The future Management of those facilities do need to be considered in the overall equation, as suggesting to a football team to take over given that the scope for other activity in the area, is not yet a consideration.is beyond a lot of people, given that Football is not for everybody.
If the Trust option is to be taken seriosly. given the present financial situation that the Council finds itself in, then a proper Board of Directors would need to be set up, This Board to include people from within the community, who have a vested interest in Castle Vale and its future and professional input support to advise the future operational direction of the facilities.
Councillor Mullaney, would having recently taken over as Cabinet Member for Leisure Sport and Culture would, it is felt want to get this right for the people of Castle Vale and no doubt many groups and organisations in Birmingham and the Midlands will be looking at this issue very closely on Castle Vale. !!
For the sake of ALL of us who live on Castle Vale and have an interest in sport, if the Trust option is to be explored, let’s ensure and get an assurance that necessary support will be put into place to enable the Stadium and assocated facilities are sustainable for the next 5 years at minimum.
The ongoing maintenence and running costs of facilities are not cheap – Just something to bear in mind.
.
October 4, 2009 at 9:50 pm
There will no doubt be a board of directors set up to manage the stadium.
It will probably be made up of interested parties off Castle Vale and most prob some outside professionals.
People seem to be getting a tad confused Paula the stadium will not be handed over to JKS to run, but I’m guessing JKS rep/reps will get involved and will be on the board as they have been very committed over the years providing sport for the younger generation and giving them something positive to focus on.
I know Graham and he wasn’t being intimidating he is just passionate about the development going ahead (as are many others)
So lets drop the football rivalry (because that’s what I’m sensing from the various posts) and think of whats best for Castle Vale.
If the meeting turns into disorder the Council are prob going to be delighted!
Who knows what the hold up has been over the years.
Maybe they don’t want that development to go ahead?
Maybe they have other ideas for the site?
One things for certain we have not been kept informed and the whole things been a farce.
IF the people of Castle Vale cannot stand together on this then the Council will have a easy way out, so lets get organized people and stand together!
October 5, 2009 at 10:25 am
Agree completely with both Danny Ryan and Sammy. Have to say though Sammy, I stand by what I said about Graham. His comments are most definitely meant to be intimidating. I only have the stadiums best interest at heart and you will notice in my closing comment that I suggested a board with reps from ALL Vale based teams. At my age I’m really not interested in “football rivalry”, just felt compelled to comment on Graham’s post of 01/10/09. Sammy, from reading through your posts, sense that you are pro Graham and JKS which i great, Not sure if you’ve ever been a player or parent, think possibly you may have slightly different views then. I dont think Graham has shown himself in a particularly positive light. I have to say in my opinion the only chance we have of getting answers from the council is if Danny Ryan is heavily involved and elected as speaker. We need someone articulate, who is also capable of debating, not getting into a slanging match and who can cope with negative comments constructively.
October 5, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I’m pro Castle Vale and I want to see what we have been promised for many years happen.
JKS have been successful in providing sport to the younger generation of this estate for many years giving them something positive to focus on, so I don’t feel they deserve the comments made on this site by various people.
Everyone needs their say at the meeting, it doesn’t need a elected speaker it needs everyone with a interest to have their say in a ordered and constructive way, this way the council will realise the strength of feeling about the matter.
Lets hope the meeting is a positive one.
October 28, 2009 at 2:48 pm
i must say the coaching is basic coaching
which anybody could pass.
jks have 2 0r 3 ex players played at a very good standard and you can see the difference in coaching.
we only want the best for our kids.
thats why mine go to sutton coldfield town boys
better standard, you could see the difference only
after 3 weeks
castle vale resident