.: CCSAG - Colchester Community Stadium Action Group :.

What is CCSAG?

Colchester Community Stadium Action Group - CCSAG came into existence in October 2004, on the back of the local Evening Gazette’s rallying cry for a new community stadium for the town of Colchester.

Through its efforts to date, it is now a respected body within both political and journalistic circles and includes representation from a number of key bodies within the town.

CCSAG outside Town Hall on Oct 19th 2005.
From left to right: Richard Fisher, Rob Knight, Judith Ost, Paul Ost and Rob Simmons. Also present at this meeting in support of the stadium project was Paul Acres and Raymond Ost.

CCSAG group pictured here are:

Back Row: Steve Absolon (Colchester Garrison), Rob Knight (co-ordinator), Ali Alexander (committee member), Matt Hudson (Colchester United), Paul Acres (group member), Fred Gibby (group member).

Front Row: Judith Ost (group member), Paul Ost (co-ordinator), Jeanette Westlake (Colchester United Supporters Association).

Committee members not pictured: Tom Weatherill (Evening Gazette), Daniel West, Allison Foster.

To contact the CCSAG group, click here.

THANK YOU

The CCSAG group is backed up by an army of loyal petition collecting volunteers and our thanks go to the following, who have marched many a mile for the cause: Ali Alexander, Martin Bright, Lee Clarkson, Roy Everett, Rachel Foster, David Hobrough, Ben Urch, Stuart Warren, Perry Nichols, James Wood.

Website paid for by Paul Acres.

HOW IT STARTED

Although the instigation of a stadium petition started on the Colchester United official messageboard, before anything could be done about it, the local newspaper, the Evening Gazette got the bit between their teeth and started the 'Community Stadium Now!' campaign going back in September of last year.

After the initial interest and about 3,000 sign ups, it was decided by myself to proactively get involved in the gathering of names to back up the Gazette's initial efforts.

The first time I 'hit the road' was the Southampton Carling Cup game on 27th October last year, when I had clipboards and petition sheets placed on all 14 CUSA coaches. A total of 860 signed on that first effort and so we started!!

Once the success of my efforts had been noted, I spread the word via the Gazette and the ColU messageboard and the hardy band of volunteers started to come on board, and we 'tested the water' at the next away league match at Bristol City, with further success, and so was born the campaign.

From those early beginnings, we have collected signatures at every home match at Layer Road since the Huddersfield game on 20th November and most away games as well. We have attended various events and locations in Colchester and the surrounding area, receiving very favourable receptions wherever we have been!

The mobilisation of the petition volunteers has primarily been via the Official Website messageboards, and as the enormity of what we were doing became evident, even a section purely for 'Cuckoo Farm' was created on that site.

I have kept fans updated on a regular basis via this Section of the U's website. I have also been in constant contact with the Evening Gazette from day one, arranging with them various photoshoots to keep the publicity bandwagon moving along. Regular updates have appeared showing the 'Running total' of the petition (which now stands at over 28,000 signatures).

The CCSAG was formed on 10th November last year and I have been Joint Co-ordinator, along with Paul Ost as well as Petition Organiser on behalf of our group since it's formation.

A total of nearly 70 Supporters Clubs of Football League and Premier League were written to with regard to the petition and many have returned completed sheets supporting our cause.

Numerous celebrity names have appeared on the petition sheets, including Michael Howard, the Conservative leader, Charles Kennedy, the LibDem leader, our local MP Bob Russell and many famous football names from the past (nine of the 1966 World Cup winning England side included) and present, plus other sporting names.

Since launching in October, CCSAG have now attended over forty signing sessions and recently visited the Garrison to get the town's troops signed up.

Rob Knight

MISSION STATEMENT

To raise the profile of the campaign to ensure the early and successful completion of the Colchester Community Stadium at Cuckoo Farm, Colchester.

What is it?
The Colchester Community Stadium will be a purpose built 10,000 seat arena providing a new home venue for Colchester United Football Club, other local sports organisations and outdoor community events such as concerts. There will be permission to increase capacity to 18,000 seats in the future.

The development will also include other outdoor pitches for football, hockey and other sports, conference and meeting room facilities for use by the community. The stadium will have a number of bars and restaurants, open throughout the week, that will ensure a revenue stream to help support the running of the stadium.

Where is it?
The Colchester Community Stadium will be built on the northern outskirts of Colchester at Cuckoo Farm. The site is owned by Colchester Borough Council and is situated between the A12 trunk road and the old Severalls Hospital site just to the west of the A134 Colchester - Sudbury road. The whole area is earmarked for development with plans for 1200 homes, mixed use commercial and industrial property, new schools as well as leisure property around the stadium.

The stadium will be built to the north of the development area, bordering the A12, where it’s impact on local residents will be restricted.

Who is involved?
Colchester Borough Council, Colchester United Football Club and Colchester Community Sports Trust, which works throughout the area to provide sports facilities and opportunities for all sectors of the community.It is envisaged that a separate company will be created, with those parties mentioned above being “shareholders”, to oversee the the effective ongoing management of all the stadium facilities.

When will it be built?
All being well, construction will start in early 2006. We hope to kick off the 2007/8 season at the new stadium although it may be possible to play some fixtures towards the end of the 2006/7 season.

The planning process is well advanced but there are still many hurdles to be overcome. Final planning permission is yet to be given and business plans have to be agreed by the parties involved.

How will it be built?
Colchester Borough Council owns Cuckoo Farm and will, therefore, provide the land as well as approximately £8,000,000 of funding. The money will be in the form of a loan from Central Government from a fund set aside for urban regeneration. Colchester United Football Club and The Football Trust will also contribute significantly towards the development costs.

Why do we need a Community Stadium?
Sports facilities in the Colchester area will be improved enormously, with the Community Stadium providing a focus and home for many organisations which may be struggling at the moment. It will also provide a new home for Colchester United Football Club, the town’s only full time, professional sports club, to replace the aging Layer Road ground. It will also provide badly needed conference facilities as well as alternative venue for outdoor events.

Colchester may be Britain’s oldest recorded town but it is also a progressive and growing one. A brand new sporting arena, which will welcome thousands of visitors from all over the country every year, will be a great advertisement for the town and something in which we can all share a sense of civic pride.