On Thursday, AFC Bournemouth released a statement regarding the proposed new stadium in Kings Park and the new training ground complex at Canford.
Since July 2017 Kings Park has been the preferred location for a new stadium, with a quoted completion date of the summer of 2020.
Five months later and AFC Bournemouth received approval for a new training ground complex at Canford Magna Golf Club, to include, ten full-size pitches, three junior pitches, an indoor artificial playing surface, state-of-the-art medical, fitness, sports science and rehabilitation facilities, administrative space and a press conference theatre.
However, last week, both projects were officially indefinitely shelved, to the anger of many supporters.
Many supporters were critical of the tone of the statement, not overly clear, including a lot of waffle and not much else. Appearing to hint, but falling short of categorically confirming that the decision was due to a lack of funding.
What kind of message does the lack of investment in the training facilities send to not only the players but management duo Eddie Howe and Jason Tindall?
Howe has previously spoken of his desire to leave a lasting legacy from the Premier League era for the club and he believed the training ground complex was it.
With Howe, only as recently as May, stating that the stadium and training ground was something that the club should focus on.
Without the likes of majority shareholder Maxim Demin or Chairman Jeff Mostyn speaking to the media, or in fact chief executive Neill Blake or general manager Liz Finney the job was left to AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe during his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Watford.
Howe was very diplomatically quoted be the Daily Echo saying…
“It was the right decision for the shareholders and directors. They have given the club so much in financial backing and support in the past few years.
“I know their will is to complete the stadium and build the training ground and take the club forward. They want what every Bournemouth fan wants and what I want.
“But it’s not right for them at this moment in time so I think you have to respect that decision…”
“…Long-term, we all hope we can build the club from the inside. I think we do need to improve facilities but I’m not saying anything which isn’t along the same lines as what the owners think…”
Your say…
billythekid wrote…
Eddie respects the board’s decision, also his comments about always had a good relationship with those above him and still has is important.
You get a lot of knee-jerk reactions when things like the statement happen, but I like to wait and hear what Eddie has to say before making a decision on what Eddie’s future with our club will be.
From what I heard (from the press conference) he his still happy here and is going to stay. Others may have different views once they have listened to the interview.
Kris Temple asked Eddie some straightforward questions and Eddie, as usual, gave him an honest answer.
We used to hear from Jeff Mostyn on the radio, it would be good if he came on either the official website or Solent and gave us his views/reasons again and made one or two things clearer re the new training ground.
From that statement depending how you interpret it, I didn’t think they had shelved/halted the training ground as well.
Then I have always tried to look on the positive side in my 61 years following the Cherries.
Yes, we have had more negatives than positives at that time. But once Eddie and Max came together it has all been positive.
I expect some others on here and amongst our fans still, think it’s a dream we are playing in the Premier League. – Join the conversation, click here.
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