Crosby-based Marine FC ponders stadium move
Currently playing at the 2,200 capacity Rossett Park ground, named the Marine Travel Arena, the semi-professional football club has been eyeing up sites for relocation.
The club has just won promotion to the National League North, the sixth-tier of English football’s league pyramid, but its officials feel the limits of the current stadium could restrict future growth.
In a statement, the club’s chief executive officer James Leary said the decision to look at building a new stadium is part of a five-year plan which began in 2019, confirming their current ground, which is bordered by residential housing, would be retained as a community hub.
He said: “A crucial element of the plan was to future proof the potential upward movement of the club through the pyramid by removing the challenges posed at the current site.
“Accordingly, two years ago we embarked on a project to progress with the build of a new stadium.
“Our ideal aim is to retain the current Marine Travel Arena as a community hub, but build a new purpose-built stadium to enhance community sports and recreation facilities in the local area.
“Having our current stadium facility with one of the few 3G pitches in the Crosby area is something we do not want to lose. This is however funding dependent.”
Leary says the club needs to raise £5m to complete the development of a fresh venue, with 16 potential local sites for the stadium whittled down to three, having looked at their feasibility from a planning and construction perspective.
He added: “We have had fantastic support from the officers of Sefton Council. We are now at a critical stage where we are hoping to secure one of our land options over the coming months.
“The funding is key to making it happen along with getting agreement from the key people involved with us securing the land in the first place.”
The club has launched a kickstarter for anyone who can help with funding or support through donations towards the development.
