We need all the help we can get to return home, says Fisher chairman

Tuesday 25th June 2013

FISHER FOOTBALL CLUB have tonight unveiled plans to return to Rotherhithe – and to install a 3G playing surface similar to Maidstone United.

Exciting proposals have been announced that would see the club return to Rotherhithe as part of a new development involving the disused Surrey Docks Stadium and St Paul’s playing field sites.

It was confirmed today that Fairview New Homes Ltd have agreed to buy the freehold of the former Surrey Docks Stadium from receivers appointed by Ulster Bank.

Fairview are proposing a development of the stadium site, and a linked development of St Paul’s playing field on Salter Road, London SE16, that would see the disused playing field site turned into a brand new football facility that would serve as a home ground for Fisher Football Club.

On the site of the Surrey Docks Stadium, home to Fisher Athletic until 2004, a landscaped community park will be created while there will be a residential development on the ‘yard’ area of the stadium site.

At the AGM of Fisher Society Ltd on Friday 21 June 2013, Fisher members gave unanimous support to the proposals.

Welcoming the members’ decision, Fisher FC chair Ben Westmancott issued a statement on the club website www.fisherfc.co.uk.

He said: “After nearly a decade in exile from our Bermondsey and Rotherhithe home, and four years after reforming Fisher as a supporter-owned club, we now have a fantastic opportunity to bring Fisher FC back home and to establish a base at the heart of our community.“

The planned facility at St Paul’s would form a home not just for Fisher’s first team but also for the many youth teams that the club runs. A state of the art 3G pitch would be installed, to help ensure that the wider community also benefits from the investment.

Mr Westmancott explained: “We’ve had really positive discussions with officers at Southwark Council, who own the freehold of the St Paul’s site, and they have assured us that the new facility will be Fisher’s home.

“But they are also clear that the benefits that this investment will bring must be shared with the wider community. We completely support their position on this, and as a club one of our constitutional objectives is to enable wider participation in football in our community.

“With those aims in mind, a 3G pitch is a necessity. A number of clubs have shown just how well they can work including Maidstone United, and we will be able to use the surface in the league as well as the FA Vase, and FA Cup qualifying rounds.”

While Fairview New Homes Ltd will be providing £0.5M funding for the development, via payments made to Southwark Council, there will still be a requirement for Fisher and Southwark Council to access additional grant funding to ensure that the anticipated total cost of circa £0.75M can be covered.

Mr Westmancott explained: “Fisher will need to a make a financial contribution to the development and there is now lots of hard work to do to access the opportunities we have identified for grant funding – and the club will also be undertaking fund raising initiatives.

“The development is of course subject to obtaining planning permission, and even if everything goes according to plan we still have two more tough years to survive by ground-sharing. We need our members, supporters and friends in the community to come together and help us get through these two seasons while we work hard on making a new home on Salter Road a reality.

“I’d like to put on record our thanks to Fairview New Homes Ltd and Southwark Council who have worked positively and constructively with us over the last few months. We have also received outstanding practical support from Supporters Direct, the national organisation that supports and encourages fan-ownership of football clubs.”

The chairman added: “This is an exciting time for Fisher FC, but there is still a long way to go. We’re going to need the support of our friends and supporters over the next two years as we work hard to bring our club home, while ensuring that we remain competitive on the pitch and continue to develop our youth and community work.

“We’ll need all the help we can get. We’ll need fans and friends to help us fund raise as we look to supplement grant funding and ensure that Fisher can contribute to this fantastic new facility. And we’re on the look out for professional help from anyone with financial, planning, legal or other relevant skills who can contribute to the project that will bring Fisher FC home.”

If you think you can help, or offer sponsorship, please get in touch with the club by email dan@fisherfc.co.uk.

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.co.uk