Thamesmead Town given go ahead for £4m redevelopment of Bayliss Avenue

BEXLEY COUNCIL last night granted planning permission for the £4m redevelopment of Thamesmead Town’s home ground at Bayliss Avenue, writes Stephen McCartney.

The decision will secure the future of the football club in the community, with the provision of multi-purpose sports facilities, sports hall and a covered arena, similar to Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium, which should be ready in time for the 2009-10 season.

The decision is the result of hard work over the last three years between Thamesmead Town F.C. Ltd. Director Mark Lee and first team manager Keith McMahon in partnership with local development agency Trust Thamesmead.

“This is fantastic news, not just for Thamesmead Town Football Club but for the community of Thamesmead,” said an elated McMahon, a director of the Kent League club, when speaking to www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk.

“Trust Thamesmead have really got behind us and this secures the future of the football club in the community.

“Thamesmead’s a big area and there’s nothing much here for the local community.”

McMahon, whose side welcome Greenwich Borough to Bayliss Avenue in a Kent League clash next Tuesday night (7:45pm), added: “Now we have leisure facilities that will provide a focus for the people in the town as well as a stadium that will be good enough for Blue Square Conference football.

“It’s a really big step forward for Thamesmead Town Football Club and it can only strengthen the club - it’s a massive opportunity.”

Despite being third in the Kent League table and being one of the better footballing sides, attracting crowds remain a problem - they are the sixth worst supported side in the division with average crowds of just 60.

And Fans’ representative Stewart Erridge said: “This is exciting news for the club and for the town. It will enable us to confidently push for promotion to the Ryman League and also draw in extra support, which is much needed.”

Construction logistics have been planned to enable the football club to continue playing their fixtures throughout most of the work.

Building work should commence in the autumn and is due to take nine months to complete.

Article courtesy of www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk