Jon
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Post by Jon on Dec 10, 2010 21:44:51 GMT
I've often talked about that area of the Willows in regards to an area United could relocate to if they ever left Plainmoor, it's strange why it's been left undeveloped for so long. I've heard various ideas why it hasn't been developed such as it was part of the original Willows plans to keep it open countryside to ideas that it's incredibly boggy/marshy and would cost a lot to develop. I am pretty sure this all dates back to the Chris Roberts era: www.torquayunited.com/page/News/0,,10445~948138,00.html Putting Rugby Union at the Willows was part of the plan to put soccer at the Rec. There would have been room for Rugby League there too. I'm pretty sure nothing has happened on this since.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Dec 10, 2010 21:48:54 GMT
I am pretty sure this all dates back to the Chris Roberts era A quote from that link: Rugby is by far the largest participatory sport in the bayThe man really was a blithering idiot, wasn't he?
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Post by the92ndfish on Dec 11, 2010 10:39:20 GMT
I've often talked about that area of the Willows in regards to an area United could relocate to if they ever left Plainmoor, it's strange why it's been left undeveloped for so long. I've heard various ideas why it hasn't been developed such as it was part of the original Willows plans to keep it open countryside to ideas that it's incredibly boggy/marshy and would cost a lot to develop. I am pretty sure this all dates back to the Chris Roberts era: www.torquayunited.com/page/News/0,,10445~948138,00.html Putting Rugby Union at the Willows was part of the plan to put soccer at the Rec. There would have been room for Rugby League there too. I'm pretty sure nothing has happened on this since. I'm not sure about that because according to their own website the Devon Sharks didn't even move to Torquay until autumn 2008 before then they were affiliated with Newton Abbot RFC and played at Rackerhayes. The sad thing about the whole Roberts saga is that a lot of his ideas did have some merit to them, he just had utterly no way of following through on them. I still think there is a lot to be told about that story and wish someone would track him down and do a wide ranging interview on matters. The dude was a Walter Mitty character who nearly destroyed our football club but I'd like to hear what his reasoning was behind the whole escapade.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 12, 2010 21:14:12 GMT
You've obviously thought this one through a little more deeply than my shallow analysis! Too much time on my hands! I'm sure that, during the last three or four years, I've seen mention of the Devon FA backing the development of a football complex at the Willows. That's why I was asking if there has been further news of this. The impression from the Sharks website is that it's a live issue. Although I understand the county FA may be concerned primarily with the improvement of recreational football facilities in the town, I remember thinking how the Willows could be an excellent base for a club aspiring to climb the non-league pyramid (I do hope the local residents wouldn't object to floodlights!)
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AR10
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Post by AR10 on Dec 13, 2010 23:05:05 GMT
It's still all go as far as I'm aware.
The plan is for there to be a level 5 facility pitch with floodlights & stand, a 3G pitch and several other football/Rugby/Hockey pitches.
I'm pretty sure the only stumbling block at the moment is whether Torbay Hospital get funding for a park & ride facility in the nearby facinity which then has a knock-on effect.
I'll ask the County development manager for an update next time I see him.
A very similar facility is also planned for Brockenbury at Galmpton.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2010 8:38:44 GMT
It's still all go as far as I'm aware. The plan is for there to be a level 5 facility pitch with floodlights & stand, a 3G pitch and several other football/Rugby/Hockey pitches. I'm pretty sure the only stumbling block at the moment is whether Torbay Hospital get funding for a park & ride facility in the nearby facinity which then has a knock-on effect. I'll ask the County development manager for an update next time I see him. A very similar facility is also planned for Brockenbury at Galmpton. Thanks, Ant. Sounds a good package. I see too from Sunday's paper that Bovey are ready to start with their stands and lights.
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