Stadium Development Update

Supporters of 'The Linnets' will be aware that our development plan is moving forward, another plank has been achieved this month with the successful incorporation of Burscough Recreation & Football Club C.I.C.

C.I.C. is a community interest company, registered with HM Companies House, management responsibility by directors to a set of rules & with statutory obligations.

There are however no shareholders to whom any dividend could fall. The new body has not traded, so this is a clean sheet. In the foreseeable future it will acquire & hold assets, form commercial & strategic relationships. C.I.C Directors will also be responsible for succession.

Chairman Mike Swift invites interested supporters and organisations to contact him informally as we shape the C.I.C journey. Our invitation is also open to community groups, charities, existing sports & recreational clubs in and around Burscough.

Mike's available at our Saturday home games, usually popping into the Victoria Park Canteen for a brew at half time.

Heritage is important, History informs us that Burscough Football Club in one form or another has been around for more than 100 years and throughout that time has played an important part in the social and recreational life of the local community.

It was recognised in 2007 that the existing facilities were falling far short of modern requirements and the Club began to work on proposals for a new stadium supported by a package of development involving Victoria Park and the adjoining land.

A planning application for the development was submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council in 2007 but was still undetermined in 2010, by which time the Club had run into financial difficulties. Faced with accumulated debt in excess of £200,000, the Club was forced to offer Victoria Park for sale on the open market and in 2010 the Land was acquired by Chequer Properties Limited.

The most up-to-date estimate of the costs of the basic remedial work necessary in order to bring the ground up to the FA National Ground Grading category D standard is circa £400k.

The Club, as tenant, does not have the resources to carry out the remedial work and therefore the only way of providing a modern compliant stadium is to sell the current ground for re-development to fund the new facility.

Planning Permission was granted in April 2017 for the provision of a new ground for Burscough Football Club freeing up the existing Victoria Park ground for redevelopment.

Following the expiry of the Asset of Community Value Listing, the owner of BFC agreed an option with Torus Housing to provide 100% Affordable housing on the site.

We look forward to seeing you at Burscough F.C and welcoming your constructive input as the club goes forward...

Mike Swift Chairman