Manor Farm Training Ground:
The Workplace of Stockport County Football Club
Frequently Asked Questions: (updated 1 September 2008)
How much will it cost to carry out all the repairs?
The landlord of the Manor Farm training ground has estimated the work to be around £200,000 but we are hoping the work can be completed for substantially less. We are initially looking to raise £75,000.
Why has nothing been done sooner?
It has! Work started on tidying up and securing the Manor Farm training ground many weeks ago. There have already been a number of volunteers visiting the training ground one or two evenings a week to make a start on the work. We are now in a position to start the major renovation works.
Also, the Club Board have been in negotiation with the landlord to challenege the estimate and schedule of works which appeard to be going well until a third party took interest in taking over the lease. Since then the Trust Board and Club Board have been working pretty much non-stop to put an action plan in place to renovate Manor Farm.
Will fans be expected to donate the full amount?
The Trust and Football Club will be contributing as much money as possible towards the repairs but being a fans owned club we need support and donations from as many County fans as possible to help raise the money.
Does this mean the club has no money?
No, it doesn't mean the club has no money. A budget for the 2008/09 season has been agreed and set and unfortunatley we can't just take money out of the budget as that would mean having a hole to fill later in the season. What is more, the club will get a much better deal if it can receive help from fans with skills, and so we are looking for help as well as money. Click here to see what help is needed....
Why don’t we use the money from the sales of Dickinson and Williams?
The sales of Ashley Williams and Liam Dickinson is a staged payment plan meaning the money will paid to us at regular intervals, not all in one lump sum. The initial lump some money we did receive has been reinvested into the business to bring in new players such as Carl Baker, Peter Thompson, Jonny Mullins and Owain Fon Williams and provide the Manager with a budget to compete in Coca-Cola League 1.
Why are there two figures - £75,000 and £200,000?
The landlord of Manor Farm has given us a schedule of works that totals just under £200,000. We believe the work can be done for a lot less than that, somewhere between £50,000 and £100,000 so are having an independent schedule of works done which will be complete by 5th September.
What is the current time schedule?
Work has to begin by 9th September 2008 and must be completed by 9th January 2009.
Is there a Plan of Action?
Yes, the main plan is to first get the on-site house safe and secure so that anyone working on the site is safe. We are hoping to have the house surrounded by safety fencing by 5th September. At the same time the over grown gardens will be cut back to make way for the scaffolders to come and scaffold the house ready for the major work to begin.
Whilst the major work is being carried out on the house, the minor work will be carried out on the stable-block. Once the major work has finished on the house we will then be able to get in to plaster, paint, tile, fit, paper etc.
Who is managing the project?
Stockport County Director and Trust Board Member Graham Noden is managing the project for Stockport County with full support and assistance from the Trust Board.
Why do we need to carry out the repairs?
Being tenants of Manor Farm, Stockport County are responsible for any repairs that need to be carried whether they were caused by Stockport County or not.
Who owns Manor Farm?
Manor Farm is owned by Trafford Borough Council. City Estates have a 99 year lease on the land and provide a sub-lease to Stockport County.
How did the damage occur to the on-site house?
The on-site house was left empty after the last 'permanent occupier' of the house left their employment with the club. It is understood that the previous occupiers left to run their own public house. After they left an agreement was put in place between Stockport County and a gentleman who took overall control of all training ground matters. When the current board subsequently reviewed this contract, they decided that its wasn`t beneficial and sought to terminate it. This inevitably took some time.
During this time the house was empty and vandalised and subsequently damaged further by the poor weather. Boards were placed on doors and windows on a regular basis to help protect from further damage.
Are the grounds not secured to prevent vandlism?
Yes, the training ground was\is protected by various security measures including locked security gates and security fencing & hedgerows around the ground. There is also a regular security patrol. Full details of the security installation at Manor Farm will not be made public for obvious reasons.
Is the house insured?
Yes, the club pays a monthly sum into the landlords bank account which pays towards an insurance premium. Unfortunately as the vandalism and damage done prior to June last year was never reported or dealt with or indeed communicated to the landlords, the issues were not claimable under insurance.
How long have we known work needs doing at Manor Farm?
Since the the initial damage occured Stockport County have been aware that work needs to be carried out at Manor Farm and were planning accordingly to get the work done over a suitable period of time. The introduction of a third party who would like to take over the lease from Stockport County has meant a much shorter time period has been forced upon us.
How long do the club plan to use Manor Farm as the training ground?
It's difficult to say but for the moment we have a 15 year lease on Manor Farm which started in 2003 and at the moment plan on staying there until the lease expires.
What is the Manor Farm training ground used for?
As well as having a number of superb pitches for the 12 Stockport County teams to use Manor Farm has offices for Jim Gannon and Peter Ward to use to review the opposition teams, plan tactics etc. Richard Landon has a room where he stores all the kit, washes it, applys the names and numbers to the shirts and shorts. There is a large dining\funtion room for the players to relax, watch back match videos with the management, have breakfast and lunch, discuss future matches etc. There are also a number of changing rooms, shower rooms and a boot room.
Can we not just move to a new training ground?
No, we have to carry out the repairs whether we stay at Manor Farm or find a new training ground.
How will the buildings be used once the repairs are complete?
As yet, no final decision has been made but a number of suggestions have been made and are being considered regarding how Stockport County utilise the buildings at Manor Farm. One thing is certain though and that is that as part of the repairs and renovations further security measures will be put in place where possible to stop any future vandlism.
Where is the Manor Farm Training Ground?
Manor Farm is at the end of Ridgeway Road in Timperly. Click here to view a Google Map and photos of the training ground....
Can we visit the Manor Farm Training Ground?
To ensure Jim, Peter and the squad get the best time to train and plan the assault on Coca-Cola League 1, we ask that fans don't visit the training ground other than at a planned open session. Over the coming weeks we will be announcing a number of visits to Manor Farm for fans and helpers which will include an open training session.