BUSA chief rallies Quadrant support

In an open letter issued to the local press this week, Mr Chapman said: “This really is it. Without the new stadium, there is no Boston United. We have to be out of York Street by 2018 and so the new stadium is vital for the survival of the football club. I urge not only Boston United fans, but all the people of Boston, to get behind this project. Please take 10 minutes to contact the council and voice your support.”

He continued: “The current chairman and vice-chairman stepped in back in 2007, when we were relegated from the Football League, at a time when the club had debts of £3m and staff salaries were not being paid. They have worked really hard to not only stabilise the finances of the club, but also to rebuild its tattered reputation. They have given the club a vision for the future and have been behind the massive growth of the club’s community programme and of course all this has been done during the worst recession on record. The new Community Stadium offers an exciting and sustainable future for the club, however the chairman has made no secret of the fact that if the planning application fails, he does not see how the club can survive.

“The football club has a long and proud history and was for many years the largest and most successful club in non-league football. I am sure many remember our famous trip to Wembley back in 1985. We then had the heady days of becoming a Football League club, but of course that dream came crashing down when the previous owners ran up huge debts which ultimately brought the club to its knees. Since then so many people have worked really hard to rebuild the club and put it at the heart of the community. Surely the people of Boston are not prepared to see all that good work go to waste and to lose a part of the town’s history?

“Being chairman of the supporters association, I was of course well aware of the role the club now played in the community, but it was not until I sat down with the club’s community officer Nick Reeson the other day that even I began to understand the range of projects and activities that the club was involved with — the figures are simply staggering. The United in the Community programme engages with more than 11,000 people across South Lincolnshire in sports, education and social activities and is now widely recognised as one of the best examples of sports community outreach.

“Just last week, Boston United were named as finalists in the Football Conference awards for the Skrill North Community Club of the Year category and of course they also won that very award back in 2012. From what Nick told me, the community and education programme is key to getting so many people into sports that might not otherwise have the opportunity. It also employs 30 people and has an amazing 50 volunteers. The club has netball teams, dance and cheerleading groups, 10 grassroots football teams, education programmes, programmes helping people with mental health issues and projects to get young and old active. They also work in many schools across the area delivering multi-sports sessions, lunchtime clubs, after school clubs and holiday clubs. They even have a cycling club and offer golf taster sessions! That is all in addition to the club’s elite Centre of Excellence and youth teams. As I say, I was really surprised by how much the club was doing in the community, so I am sure the people of Boston have no idea.

“Not only will the new stadium help secure the future of the club, but with its great facilities, it will become a real community asset in that part of the town and will enable the club to make progress both on and off the pitch.

“The football club is a huge part of many fans’ lives and many have supported the club over decades through thick and thin. Personally I cannot contemplate the town without Boston United and I am sure it is the same for all the fans.”

Mr Chapman concluded: “I really cannot stress enough that this is make or break for the club. The current ground is a massive financial drain and not fit-for-purpose any more. The new ground will bring the financial investment we need to achieve our full potential and continue our unrivalled support of the community programme.

“We want to thank everyone who has got behind the club so far and hope that all of you who want to see the club carry on contact the council before their meeting on August 5.”

The Community Stadium plans were developed following extensive public and fan consultation to reflect the aspirations of the club. Through education and conferencing facilities, plus a public sports hall and all-weather pitch, the new stadium also provides opportunities to generate additional income to aid financial viability.

Supportive comments can be submitted to Boston Borough Council via their website (www.boston.gov.uk), by e-mail (planning@boston.gov.uk) or by letter (Planning Services, Boston Borough Council, Municipal Buildings, West Street, Boston, PE21 8QR). Planning application reference B/14/0165 should be quoted.

The Quadrant proposals include plans for around 500 new homes to help meet housing needs and will create over 400 full-time jobs and more than 600 construction jobs. The project will also deliver the first part of what could become a distributor road, providing a possible solution to some of Boston’s traffic flow issues.

The project website (www.thequadrantboston.co.uk) provides full details of how comments can be submitted to the council and also includes the submitted stadium plans.

Click on the link below to download a template letter of support for The Quadrant.