The petition
This petition was set up to try and see Polegate Town Football Club return home to Polegate Rec, Wannock Road (the only pitch in the area).
The club was reformed in the Summer of 2006, and had hoped to play their football in Polegate, but have had to play at the Sports Centre in Hampden Park, Eastbourne.
Three seasons ago, Willingdon Athletic FC approached Polegate Town Council having been advised by Polegate's President, who was at the time Willingdon's joint third team manager, to obtain permission to play at the Polegate Rec. A gentlemans agreement was entered into by the Willingdon AFC committee with our President that should there ever be another Polegate Football Club then Willingdon AFC would step away and allow them access to the pitch. This agreement was reached, as our President was born and bred in Polegate and has had close links to the previous Football team.
On the 30th June 2006, Polegate Town FC entered into correspondence with Polegate Town Council, following their formation, about a possible return to Polegate Rec. Intially Polegate Town FC were advised that the pitch was under contract to Willingdon AFC, a neighbouring village team, who have their 3rd team play their home games there. This was accepted by Polegate Town FC.
Polegate Town FC asked to view this contract, with a view to offering more favourable conditions to the Council. Polegate Town FC were later advised that no formal written contract was in fact in place, and that it was an informal agreement that was reviewed yearly, and that Polegate Town FC should make a foraml application at a council meeting.
On the 1st November 2006, the Polegate President submitted a formal written request to the council requesting the chance to address the council. On the 13th November, Polegate Town FC receieved written confirmation and an invitation to address the council on the 6th December.
Unbeknown to Polegate Town FC, during the council meeting on the 6th November 2006, the council agreed to re-lease Polegate Rec to Willingdon AFC, providing they comply with the requests from the council. Willingdon AFC offered to continue to mark the pitch and provide new goals (Please read the unadopted Council notes 06/11/06 7331).
When the Polegate President, Chairman and Vice Chairman subsequently went to the council meeting on the 6th December 2006, no mention of this previous decision was raised nor were any questions concerning the previous Polegate Town FC. At this meeting Polegate Town FC offered the council the following:-
1) To purchase a line marker for the REC
2) Mark the pitch
3) Fund the pitch marking
4) Purchase new goals
5) Promote Polegate Town Council
6) Donate money to the Polegate Youth Club based at the REC
7) Encourage Polegate youth to following their local team
8) Forge closer links through sport with Polegates twinned towns
9) Allow a weblink between Polegate Town FC and the council site and finally increase the revenue to the council by raising the match fee paid to the council by £7.
All of these items were first verbally and then confirmed in writing. The feedback from some council members was promising.
It is the view of this club that Polegate should have its own team playing at its own ground. A town of Polegate's size warrants a team.
Players, officals and supporters of other clubs are encouraged to contact Polegate Town FC and register their support. We know that Willingdon AFC 3rd team will continue, and accept that they may feel hard done by, however when they were formed only 9 years ago they spent 7 very successful seasons playing on Eastbourne Corporation pitchs without a hitch.
POLEGATE TOWN FC SHOULD BE PLAYING AT POLEGATE REC. PLEASE GET BEHIND THE CLUB AND MAKE CONTACT
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