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Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1706
Rumours were being spread yesterday that we're looking at building from scratch at a wedding venue just behind Goals in Tolworth.
https://www.surbitontown.info/
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2 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1346
Well it's not a total non-starter like Lovelace and Hawker, I'll give them that. But this still feels like a moon shoot.
I can see the mutual benefit here. We get a site to build a ground, (just about) in the borough with (just about) acceptable public transport. (I assume we're talking about the pitches to the immediately east of the karting track). There's already some infrastructure there. And the sports club gets some new facilities, presumably including a 3G pitch, for its Sunday League team and more people coming by the social club. So it all makes sense from that point of view.
But, as ever with the board's plans, we're talking about building a football ground near people's houses. If we only played in the day it would probably be fine - we can't be more annoying than a karting track - but the karting closes at 7pm each day and it's the evenings that will surely cause opposition.
So it's hard to see this site getting planning permission and it's complicated further by the ground being in the RBK but the other side of the road being in Epsom & Ewell. So they're probably even less likely to support it, as AFC found with Merton supporting them but Wandsworth opposed. Maybe bringing Epsom & Ewell FC in on it could help from that end but then it's even more usage to disrupt people.
And of course even if we get past that we have to pay for it, having now burned through nearly half the AFC money.
So my gut feeling is that this yet another one that will never get off the ground. But at least if it's out in public the debate can we had and we might have an idea one way or another pretty soon, which has to be better than wasting a year on secretive plans as we did on Lovelace and Hawker.
Edited by SDG (Ks) at 10:55:51 on 2nd March 2025
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7 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1195
I'd never even considered Surbiton Town sports club and didn't think it was one of the sites on the previous or, this boards list of preferable sites. In the same vicinity, I always thought eyes were on the Kingston Uni sports facility on Old Kingston rd.
Access and transport links are good, not much housing nearby and it could be like W&H at the weir. A 'bolt on' stadium and 3G pitch to the existing facilities. I wonder if the board have looked at this?
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2 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1180
I don’t think you can criticise the board for looking at sites “near people’s houses.” It’s hard to imagine there’s anywhere in RBK where an application to build a new stadium (or any other significant development) would not have some adverse impact such as noise or traffic and consequently generate some opposition from neighbouring residential properties.
Opposition from neighbouring properties doesn’t mean that something could not obtain planning permission. If that was the case then essentially nothing would ever obtain permission.
Any planning decision would need to balance the opposition and negative impacts against potential benefits. It may be the case that some conditions would be added if an application were to be approved such as a limit on usage to mitigate the impact on neighbouring residential properties which could preclude developing this particular site jointly with Epsom & Ewell FC.
Edited by Nick Garland at 12:03:29 on 2nd March 2025
Edited by Nick Garland at 12:24:37 on 2nd March 2025
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5 people 
2 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1188
We know it's hard to find land anywhere in the borough but near in a general sense that you can hear it in the distance and there's a bit of extra traffic is not the same thing as being right across the road to the point that a football ground will materially how people enjoy their houses.
Ultimately there are plenty of sites that have been discussed that already exist and/or might be 'near' housing without being literally right outside. The Uni Sports Ground, Decker Sports Ground (Goals), the athletics track, various sites near CWoA, etc. My views for years has been that those sort of sites have a better chance than sites in highly residential areas.
Yes of course there's that balance but the more contentious something is, the more it's going to take a good understanding of the process, skilful negotiation and plenty of engagement. Nothing in the last decade of false starts, and particularly the doomed efforts at Lovelace and Hawker, suggests that Ks are well placed to do that.
If that was the case then essentially nothing would ever obtain permission.
Welcome to Britain.
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4 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1130
Building the case for a planning application would also require a good community aspect, starting with the Club's own supporters.
Nothing in the last decade suggests that Ks are well placed to do that.
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8 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1106
I’m less pessimistic than Simon about if it’s achievable from a planning perspective. I think it is. BUT. only if a demonstrable local benefit to the community can be shown. which it can’t cos the club is dying.
and that’s before we look at the lack of finances which are still very real. money for the ground pissed away on playing budgets is unforgivable.
however, for me it’s not the biggest problem. I accept I’m in the minority in the town vs borough discussion, but this site doesn’t excite me in any way. just inside the borough on a technicality…sure. but it’s as far away from Kingston as Hampton, Met Police or Raynes Park
the vacuum of being Kingston’s football club will be filled one day. it remains to be seen by which club.
Edited by jon tolley at 19:42:00 on 3rd March 2025
Edited by jon tolley at 19:42:36 on 3rd March 2025
Edited by jon tolley at 19:48:48 on 3rd March 2025
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8 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 839
I think its been filled by Chelsea Women sadly.
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Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 977
Definitely Town and not borough.
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3 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 954
Hi John
Me personally I don't think this location is bad at all.
Not far from when we were at casuals no difference really.
Bus and train still but there is defo space there if the rumors are true.
Houses well as someone has mentioned that will be wherever we move to.
Lots of local schools around so could be a good community base.
Floodlights would not be an issue as go kart track already have lights.
Anyhow we don't know what truth in the matter is .
but people have been saying the board is not trying but everything that comes up seems to being shot down to me or am I thinking wrong.
People also keep mentioning the AFC money does that not say we could use for groundsheet arrangements etc.
Edited by FOLEY at 20:17:47 on 3rd March 2025
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1 person 4 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 700
but people have been saying the board is not trying but everything that comes up seems to being shot down to me or am I thinking wrong.
You’ve clearly been drinking cheap beer whilst shoving Colombian salt up your nostrils for far too long, to the point where you’ve lost your ability to speak any sense. So yes you are wrong.
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2 people 2 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 622
O okay.
If that what you think.
Again because I don't agree with you.
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1 person 1 person
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 894
People also keep mentioning the AFC money does that not say we could use for groundsheet arrangements etc.
I think people's gripe is that in the past it has been used to enhance playing budget.
On the second point of using it on ground shares. There are plenty of teams that ground share without having a pot of a million quid helping them out with the costs who do just fine, it should have been left aside for only new ground purposes.
To paraphrase the great Jeff Goldbum :
"Your board were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."
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It's the Organs or the Craic, you can only serve one master
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4 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1242
Rumors
I did not hear anything but not a bad place all joking aside.
Lot of space there and is local and in the borough
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Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1150
If Korkyjim is right and Ks were due the AFCW donation well in advance of the tenancy ending, does anyone know if Ks approached RBK to explore using the donation for upgrading for all users of the athletics ground in return for that venue becoming Ks long term home.
If one of the main aims was to be as near to the town centre as possible then it would be hard pressed to think of another site apart from that one in Norbiton.
Ksuals
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Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1190
we know the board didn’t approach the council about the athletics stadium until 2022. they didn’t want it. thought they could do better
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1 person
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 1121
As you're one of the more reliable on here when it comes to these issues , thanks for the info John.
I don't see for the finances Ks had while looking into other options, the athletics ground wasn't asked about. It might not have been perfect but the options of building a brand new ground,as has worked out , a risky route to pursue.
Ksuals
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3 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 891
Hi,
Just thought I’d share this info with the forum.
I work with someone who works within AFC Wimbledon & he tells me that Chelsea Ladies are looking to move out of Kingsmeadow & ground share with AFC Wimbledon @ Plough Lane because Kingsmeadow doesn’t meet certain ground criteria required for Chelsea Ladies to play in the Chapions League .
Wonder if K’s could go back to Kingsmeadow on hearing this news?
I know it’s a long shot but surely worth having a chat with Chelsea FC
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10 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 675
They might not be linked - but London Broncos and AFCW have agreed Broncos tenancy goes to a rolling year from long term agreement. Chelsea looking to move Women's team to AFCW.
Perhaps look out for Broncos moving to Kingsmeadow in an act of generosity from CFC due to Women's team taking up tenancy at AFCW?
Ksuals
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Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 712
From what my friend has told me regarding Broncos , AFCW have been wanting to end the deal between the 2 clubs as the pitch is suffering badly from the damage from Broncos matches.
Obviously I very much doubt Chelsea want that happening to their grass at K’meadow so I can’t see Broncos going there but obviously never say never.
It’s the same reason Brentford wanted to end the deal they had with London Irish at their new G Tech stadium, the damage done to the pitch was awful apparently.
Rugby teams sharing a pitch with a football club isn’t ideal & less & less clubs are agreeing to sharing the playing surface with rugby clubs.
Anyway none of this currently helps K’s find a permanent home but if a move back to K’meadow is viable then they’d better get talking to whoever they need to before another club from whatever sport gets the lead on them.
Again that’s if they’d be interested in moving back to K’meadow???
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Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 594
That's interesting Andy,at the moment several grounds to the best of my knowledge are joint home to rugby league and football clubs. Admittedly many aren't grass pitches. I'm no expert but I'd imagine the main cause of damage would be the contested scrum which is not an issue with league.
I'd much rather Broncos played at small ground then AFCW 'cause a small crowd in a too large stadium is pretty souless in my opinion.
Ksuals
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1 person
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 839
Not a bad shout Andy
I would say though would the ground not be too big for us now with our crowds,
Think of the up keep etc
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1 person 3 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 788
Other teams in a broadly similar situation to us have seen their crowds growing really well in recent years.
I'm pretty sure that with a new group of directors we could make good use of Kingsmeadow. The off field income alone could be substantial.
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4 people
Re: Surbiton Sports Ground
Views: 758
Hi Foley,
Yeah I see where you’re coming from as regards to a return to Kingsmeadow but surely whatever piece of land K’s move onto upkeep costs will be incurred?
Also I believe you’ve got Chelsea’s academy teams still playing at K’meadow even if the ladies team leaves & go elsewhere.
So that’s another fly in the ointment if by some miracle of miracles K’s ever get into negotiations to return back to K’meadow.
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