Assurances given over United stadium
Hayes & Yeading United have insisted they will be playing at their new state-of-the-art ground next season – but contingency plans have been put in place should it not be ready by August.
The Conference Premier outfit have played this season’s home fixtures at Woking while their Beaconsfield Road stadium – on the site of Yeading’s old home, The Warren – is being developed.
Supporters have expressed concern over the speed of progress on the ground and whether it would still meet the Conference ‘A’ grading, amid claims the club may be forced to groundshare again for the whole of next season.
United’s general manager Derrick Matthews rejected those fears and said the aim was to move into their new home in time for the start of the 2012-13 campaign.
However, he admitted discussions had taken place with other clubs over a potential short-term groundshare should that target be missed.
He said: “We’re planning to move at the beginning of the season, but we are in talks with a number of clubs as a contingency, because we realise time is running short.
“The ground will more than cover the Blue Square Bet Premier regulations – there’s absolutely no issue about it not being up to standard.”
United moved out of Church Road, which had been Hayes’s home since 1920, at the end of last season, shortly after work on redeveloping The Warren began.
The development will include a hi-tech 3G pitch, automatic sprinkler system and Football League-standard floodlighting.
The club will also hire out its new facilities for conferences, weddings and special events.
Club spokesman Nick Bell said he understood supporters’ concerns over a lack of updates on the building work, but insisted the wait will be worthwhile.
He told West London Sport: “Much work is going on behind the scenes to ensure the move to the new ground happens as soon as possible.
“Building this ground will open up potential revenue streams that the club would not have been able to have at Church Road.
“It will be the realisation of the vision we had when the clubs merged in 2007 and I hope fans will come to forget the difficulties and be part of a thriving club in a brand new stadium.”
Above picture courtesy of Hayes & Yeading United FC.
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