Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative - Actions - Edgeley Park

Edgeley Park

Stockport County have played at Edgeley Park since 1902, but since 2005 have been sharing the ground with Sale Sharks as tenants of Brian Kennedy. Kennedy retained ownership of the ground as the Trust took control of County in a deal where he agreed to also take on the club's debts. Losing control of the stadium was considered a huge blow by the club's fans and the Trust has set the acquisition of the ground as one of its main responsibilities.

The Trust agreed a 10-year option to regain ownership of the ground by repaying £4,500,000 in debt taken on by Kennedy. Part of this deal requires that 30% of any transfer fees or annual profit are paid toward this deficit, and while contributions through these clauses mean that the Trust now require only £3,600,000 more to reacquire the ground, it does mean that the club do find it difficult to bring in funds for themselves.

In February 2008 the Trust secured a loan offer that would grant them the funds required to purchase back Edgeley Park if they could find a deposit of £1,000,000. From this, spawned the Ground for a Pound initiative, where one million pixels were up for a sale at a pound a piece, with football fans and businesses worldwide asked to collaborate to help the club achieve its goal. Unfortunately, due to technical problems caused by the influx of visitors the launch fell flat, and a relaunch is planned.

At the Trust AGM on 3 November 2008, a document was promised detailing the club's options for owning their own ground in the future.

Read more about this topic:  Stockport County Supporters' Co-operative, Actions

Famous quotes containing the word park:

    Linnæus, setting out for Lapland, surveys his “comb” and “spare shirt,” “leathern breeches” and “gauze cap to keep off gnats,” with as much complacency as Bonaparte a park of artillery for the Russian campaign. The quiet bravery of the man is admirable.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)