Crosbie unveils Ashford Town's vision for the future

DON CROSBIE today unveiled the ambitious plans to build a £8.5m sports village at Ashford Town’s current Homelands base, writes Stephen McCartney.

The joint-owner of the Ryman League Division One South club will assist to bring the new facilities to Kent’s booming town.

The facilities will include a 5,000 seat stadium and Mr Crosbie has challenged manager Steve Lovell to bring Blue Square Premier football to the club within four years.

Officials including Mr Crosbie and Lovell held a press conference at the club earlier today.

And Mr Crosbie said: “We are here to outline our vision for the future. We have grand aspirations for the future of our club.

“Personally I want Ashford Town Football Club to become sustainable and this can only happen by bringing the Homelands Sports Village to life.

“I feel passionately that people of all ages should play lots of sports so this is why we want to redevelop the site.

“Only the lucky few make it as a professional sportsperson. Everyone aspires to be the best but sadly it isn’t possible for us all.

“With fewer parks and playing areas, outdoor living is sadly becoming a thing of the past.

“That is why we are bringing you this new Homelands Sports Village. Quality training is not currently at an affordable cost.

“Our new scheme is for everyone, including the many talented young sportsmen and women that Ashford currently has.

“We want to bring through the next generation of sporting stars.

“We want to unite our great community. There will be something at the New Homelands Sports Village for everyone.

“Most sports will be available and the facilities will be excellent. We will keep costs competitive and this will not be an elite club.

“We are doing this because we are generous people, we are doing this because it makes good commercial sense.

“I would like to thank the good people at Ashford Borough Council for supporting us, so far, in this project.

“They can see the benefits of this great sports village and its good to be working closely with them.

“We are doing this to enhance the local area and to make things better for everyone.

“As I’m sure you are aware, this scheme will cost serious money. We’ve had the dream; you can see all the plans to back that up.

“I’m also pleased to report that we have the money to make those dreams a reality.”

Here are the facilities that the sports complex will provide:

* Two new all weather sports pitches

* A full size grass pitch

* A shared football in the community scheme for aspiring youngsters. Ashford Town want to see talented young players being well educated and coached by highly qualified staff to ensure that potential stars of the future play in the green and white.

* An indoor four court tennis centre

* The Homelands Golf Club. People coming to play golf will be able to enjoy the fabulous surroundings of the Homelands Sports Village.

* A new fitness centre which will be available for everyone from young to old.

* New conference banqueting and function facilities

* A new office complex, offering rentable space for local companies.

* New starter business units for people to make their way in the local community.

* A state of the art control centre. This will be the hub for all the sports facilities.

* A 100-bed budget hotel. This is an essential requirement to facilities people coming to the sports village. The club are offering people who use the village an opportunity to stay on-site in comfortable surroundings.

* Numerous outdoor pursuits, which will be available for the whole family.

* Indoor fitness studios. Again these will be on offer to the whole family and will host sports such as table-tennis and karate, as well as yoga and dance.

* A family cycle path

* Adventure and team building exercises.

* A 5,000 seater stadium


Visit Ashford Town's website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk