A New Stadium for Posh

The Opportunity Peterborough annual review makes interesting reading. As Peterborough United supporters we were particularly interested to see when it was envisaged that a ew stadium for the club would be provided. Although in respect of most other aspects of the future plans for Peterborough the document gave anticipated completion dates, an anticipated date for the North Bank development - and hence the new stadium - is conspicuous by its absence.

In the light of Opportunity Peterborough previously noting that the clubs current location is ‘now unsuitable and constrained’ there has been a disappointingly slow response from the council to address this issue. This delay is put into even sharper focus when one considers the speed - four days to be precise - with which PCC Chief Executive Gillian Beasley agreed to waive the covenant held by the council on the London Road Ground and allowed it to be sold to a property developer. So keen was Ms Beasley to avoid delay, that she did not enforce the requirement for a written offer and dispensed with the six month notice period, designed to allow consultation with councillors and indeed the electorate or Posh supporters. Nor were any bureaucratic obstacles, such as submitting the decision to a vote in council, allowed to hold up the transaction.

The commitment shown to both the city and football club by Darragh MacAnthony contrasts sharply with the apparent lack of commitment, and indifference to the clubs plight, from the council. A new football stadium serving as a community and economic hub would be a major asset to the city, and proof that the council is prepared to invest in a future for the city that isn’t based solely on yet more shops and warehouses.

PISA2000 would welcome a clear unequivocal statement from PCC, and Opportunity Peterborough, detailing when they expect to announce the location of the new ground and some indication when we can expect construction work to begin.

PISA2000 Committee
Posh Independent Supporters Association