Millwall Community Trust take over management contract for St Paul's Stadium in Rotherhithe

FISHER have found out who will be running their St Paul’s Stadium following weeks of uncertainty.

Following a frustrating summer awaiting the conclusion of Southwark Council’s tender process to appoint management for the new St Paul’s Stadium (pictured above), Fisher officials say they are delighted to be working with the successful applicants Millwall Community Trust.

Having succeeded in their battle to bring the club back to Rotherhithe and Bermondsey, Fisher’s aim for life at their new home of St Paul’s has always been to establish themselves as a major asset to the local community, both in terms of the return of the first team but also through the development of other teams and activities.

Millwall Community Trust share the same passion and commitment as Fisher for the important role football can play in building trust, relationships and improving public health for communities.

Fisher interim co-chairman Dan Feeney said: “The club are excited about the prospect of working with a partner with a wealth of experience in this area of the game so that we can jointly ensure that the St Paul’s Stadium becomes a thriving community hub, somewhere that the local community will be comfortable in and proud to call their home too.

“As an entirely fan owned club Fisher is a not-for-profit organisation, as are Millwall Community Trust as the new managing agents for the stadium. That both organisations are fully committed to using any income for the good of the community is clearly a huge positive, with the shared ethos at the heart of the relationship to come between the two.

“Fisher FC are delighted that the uncertainty around the St Paul's Stadium is now at an end with the successful conclusion of Southwark Council's tender process. Having shown such support in bringing Fisher back home to the local area we are delighted that the Council have further expressed their commitment to football as a force for community enrichment by appointing an organisation with such a similar ethos to us. 

“We look forward to developing the natural synergies we already share with Millwall Community Trust to ensure that Fisher FC and St Paul's Stadium become the true community assets which we have always worked towards.

“This announcement of the stadium management appointment means that Fisher can now begin to take steps forward to make St Paul’s feel more like home, with improvements to internal and external signage and branding, décor of the clubhouse, application for a permanent license for the clubhouse bar, matchday food provision and sponsor relationships now able to progress.

“We look forward to working with Millwall Community Trust to make St Paul’s Stadium one of the best days out in non-league football.”

The recently completed facility has undergone a £1m investment programme since planning permission was agreed in 2014.

Steve Bradshaw, the CEO of Millwall Community Trust, said in a statement which was published on Millwall’s website: “I’m delighted that MCT has been appointed to manage St Paul’s Recreation Ground. We will be looking to build on the work we are already doing in Southwark and believe that the St Paul’s Sports Ground will be a tremendous asset for the local community in the north of the borough.

"It's a key aim of Millwall Community Trust to provide local people with access to top quality facilities in a safe and positive environment. We will work in partnership with local schools and organisations to deliver football and active health programmes.

"We are excited to deepen and strengthen our relationship with London Borough of Southwark, enabling an outreach focus for players of all ages. We are also proud to work with our new partner Fisher FC, supporting their development and we anticipate the St Paul’s site will provide a home for Millwall Lionesses and Millwall girls' programmes".

Now the hard work begins as Millwall Community Trust continues to use the power of Millwall to improve lives through engagement in sport.  

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.org

Article updated: 10:15 22/10/2016