Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2017 22:01:13 GMT
Sad news from the first away team to play a competitive game at the JWW (and also my old home club).
They've had to leave their Stompond Lane ground, as it was effectively falling apart around them, and have moved in with Walton Casuals in a new, council-owned, 'sports complex' built on the old Walton Casual's ground by the river (complete with 4G pitch).
They've never had the money to upgrade their ground, or ever maintain it, and it's gradually got worse over the years. There was a grandiose scheme some years ago to build a new £15m stadium and sports complex, paid for by selling off some of their land for housing (despite the fact that the council owned the ground!), but predictably it came to nothing.
The final straw seems to have been their relegation from the IS a couple of seasons back. This seems to have knocked the wind out of them, leading to them giving in and doing what the council wanted. The new ground is (perhaps predictably) described as 'soulless' - but with some justification in this case, as there is no PA and no club house, and all signs relating to the club have to be removed when the game is over. So, if you turn up there when neither W&H or WC are playing, you'd have no idea either club even existed.
On the positive side, though, at least they still exist and are doing a lot better this season, with hopes of getting back into the IS.
If you haven't been there, a glance at Google maps, satellite view, will show you where the ground is and give you some idea of the absolute killing the local council is going to make selling this site for housing. But I suppose it was ever thus.
Personally, it's very sad to see Stompond Lane going, as it was the first place I ever watched football (and also where I twice represented my primary school in the 100 yards sprint!). When the Stones came home and I saw W&H were in the same division, I was really looking forward to visiting Stompond Lane again, but, alas, couldn't make the return game. At the time I assumed I'd have other opportunities - unaware of Jay's propensity to have us promoted practically every season! And now I'll never see it again as a 'live' football stadium.
If anyone is interested in the Lane's final days and W&H's prospects, take a look at these links:
laurencereade.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/sham-17/
arcticterntalk.org/2016/03/06/the-sad-demise-of-walton-and-hersham-football-club/
waltonandhershamfc.boards.net/thread/959/new-ground
They've had to leave their Stompond Lane ground, as it was effectively falling apart around them, and have moved in with Walton Casuals in a new, council-owned, 'sports complex' built on the old Walton Casual's ground by the river (complete with 4G pitch).
They've never had the money to upgrade their ground, or ever maintain it, and it's gradually got worse over the years. There was a grandiose scheme some years ago to build a new £15m stadium and sports complex, paid for by selling off some of their land for housing (despite the fact that the council owned the ground!), but predictably it came to nothing.
The final straw seems to have been their relegation from the IS a couple of seasons back. This seems to have knocked the wind out of them, leading to them giving in and doing what the council wanted. The new ground is (perhaps predictably) described as 'soulless' - but with some justification in this case, as there is no PA and no club house, and all signs relating to the club have to be removed when the game is over. So, if you turn up there when neither W&H or WC are playing, you'd have no idea either club even existed.
On the positive side, though, at least they still exist and are doing a lot better this season, with hopes of getting back into the IS.
If you haven't been there, a glance at Google maps, satellite view, will show you where the ground is and give you some idea of the absolute killing the local council is going to make selling this site for housing. But I suppose it was ever thus.
Personally, it's very sad to see Stompond Lane going, as it was the first place I ever watched football (and also where I twice represented my primary school in the 100 yards sprint!). When the Stones came home and I saw W&H were in the same division, I was really looking forward to visiting Stompond Lane again, but, alas, couldn't make the return game. At the time I assumed I'd have other opportunities - unaware of Jay's propensity to have us promoted practically every season! And now I'll never see it again as a 'live' football stadium.
If anyone is interested in the Lane's final days and W&H's prospects, take a look at these links:
laurencereade.wordpress.com/2017/10/19/sham-17/
arcticterntalk.org/2016/03/06/the-sad-demise-of-walton-and-hersham-football-club/
waltonandhershamfc.boards.net/thread/959/new-ground
