Famous amateurs get new stadium
Sep 27 2008 by Neil Mckay, The Journal
PLANS have been unveiled for a new stadium for one of the North East’s most famous non-league football teams. Bishop Auckland FC are England’s most successful amateur club, having won the FA Amateur Cup 10 times, including three in succession in 1955/56/57.
But the club has fallen on hard times since leaving its Kingsway ground in the town centre six years ago and currently languishes near the foot of the SkilltrainingLtd Northern League.
Since moving out, and without a home to call its own, the club has been sharing with neighbours Shildon, Spennymoor and, more recently, with West Auckland FC.
Now property developers Terrace Hill are to build a new ground for Bishop Auckland at Tindale Crescent on the outskirts of the town.
The scheme, for which a planning application was submitted earlier this month, includes a new Northern Premier League standard stadium for the Bishops, complete with 250-seater stand.
It will be set among a leisure and retail park which will comprise a multiplex cinema, ten-pin bowling alley, bingo hall, restaurants and anchored by a Sainsbury’s food store.
The new stadium will have a set of floodlights donated by Manchester United in recognition of Bishop Auckland’s loan of three players in 1958 following the Munich air disaster, which killed eight of their players. The £250,000 grant from the Football Foundation to assist in the construction of the new ground remains in place and it is hoped that, if planning consent is granted by Wear Valley Council, the new stadium will be open in time for the start of the 2010/2011 season.
Terry Jackson, chairman of Bishop Auckland Football Club, said: “The future for The Bishops is looking good as we make plans to move into our new home. Our partnership with Terrace Hill has opened up this fantastic opportunity and with them sponsoring our away strip, we are one step closer to bringing The Bishops home.
“A new home will mean a new start for the club. Having our own ground on which to train and host matches will enable us to grow as a club and once again be a real focal point for the local community. This is great news for our fans, who have continued to turn up to matches while we have been homeless, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their tireless support.’’
Terrace Hill director Duncan McEwan said: “We wish The Bishops all the best for the next season and look forward to having the new stadium ready in 2010 for what will be their first match on home turf in over eight years.”
Plans for a larger, 10,000 seater stadium had to be shelved two years ago following a disagreement with Durham County Council.
