While nearly all of the self styled Blue Brazil's small but loyal support are of the opinion that Central Park has indeed done its job for the club (since 1917), is now not fit for purpose, and a new development, including a planned all weather pitch, is needed at the South End of Cowdenbeath, a small Fife town would not be a small Fife town without its share of objectors to the new development. Paranoia and suspicion is weighing against football optimism in a small corner of the Kingdom. South End residents of a non-football persuasion are complaining the Football Club is going to go ahead with the new stadium without proper consultation but the club has hit back saying a Public Meeting held a few weeks ago was set-up especially to give the public a forum for their views.
The local Blakeys and Buckets of the quiet South End of the town led by two characters calling themselves Anti-C and Joe D now seem on a collision course with the fans and indeed the football club with local supporter and political activist Alex Haddow trying to mediate as the battle lines are drawn over a stadium that could decide Cowdenbeath FC's very future as an SFL club. Cowden Chairman Jim Methven said at the recent public meeting regarding the new stadium plans that there is a very real chance the SFA and SFL will rule Cowden out of the league in a couple of years such is the state of Central Park. In fact the Scottish League is positively encouraging Cowdenbeath FC to get their new house in order and quickly.
Perhaps mindful of this very real danger to the Blue Brazil's future Mr Haddow issued this statement to the leaders of the stadium objectors on Thursday: "In response to the letters published in the local paper by 'Anti-C' and 'Joe D', I would like the right to put some correct facts regarding the relocation of Cowdenbeath Football Club.
Cowdenbeath Football Club, players and fans need to move to a new stadium to bring them into the 21st Century. I take it neither of the two people have visited Central Park nor have seen the so-called 'facilities' and condition that players and fans have to put up with. Surely players and fans would benefit from a brand new purpose-built stadium which can only happen through the sale of Central Park, just as other clubs have done in the past; St Johnstone, East Fife and Falkirk Football Clubs to name a few.
Cowdenbeath Football Club does not have the finances to develop Central Park and just like the other clubs mentioned, they have little or no option but to sell and get the money needed to do these developments. Without this, in my opinion, Cowdenbeath Football Club will cease to be. Is this what 'Anti-C' and 'Joe D' want? This new stadium will also help to attract fans both old and new.
Just in case anyone was wondering after last week's letter, as to where 'South End' is, I would like to point out that as a Cowdenbeath lad, who has lived in the town ALL his life, and who is a Cowdenbeath fan, the area 'Anti-C' was referring to is called 'O'er the Brig'! As for 'Joe D''s comment, not all the residents o'er the brig are elderly and you'll find most of the streets in the town house elderly residents.
I would also ask anyone to tell me where the Cowdenbeath 'hooligans' are who go to the home games?
As for parking issues in Marshall Street, Arthur Street, Arthur Place, Church Street and Bridge Street, why would any fan park their car in any of these streets and walk up to 800 yards to the new stadium, when as the plans clearly show there will be more than ample parking for the average 300-400 fans through the gate.
Surely the development that is earmarked for Central Park would benefit Cowdenbeath High Street and benefit the people both in and around the town, of a small supermarket and four non-food outlets.
The wind farm that is proposed for Cowdenbeath is not where the new stadium is to be as suggested in last week's letter. The wind farm has always been proposed to go beside the northbound carriageway of the A92 between Lochgelly and Cowdenbeath.
Everyone is entitled to voice their opinions, but please can those who choose to do so make sure their information is accurate before bringing those opinions to the coo-shed! If 'Anti-C' and 'Joe D' would like to take up my offer of visiting Central Park during a home game, I will gladly pay for their entry. This would give both a chance to see that there are no hooligans and I would give them a tour of the aforementioned 'facilities'. They can obtain my contact details from the Editor of The Central Fife Times. I hope the people of Cowdenbeath will support the club, both on and off the pitch, as leaders of the Scottish Third Division. I would like to see more coming to Central Park and supporting the club, directors, manager, players and backroom staff in their push to win the league as I'm sure this will benefit Cowdenbeath."
Mr Haddow has certainly covered all the tricky bases in his statement. It is now time for supporters to step-up according to leading lights within Cowdenbeath FC and a meeting for fans will be held at 5.15pm within Central Park this Saturday after the home game with Annan to discuss, amongst other things, how the Cowden 'family' go about winning round the objectors to the new stadium. Stadium building is planned to commence in August 2009 with completion hopefully in time for the start of season 2010/11. | Editor
Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)
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