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Town 'divided' over stadium plan
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| Iron fan and stadium opponent: Wendy Gordon with her son Harry. |
A FOOTBALL versus fields divide is being created by the new Braintree Town football stadium and housing proposals, a resident has claimed.
Wendy Gordon, 39, of Springfields, Braintree, is both an Iron supporter and opposed to plans for a stadium complex and 500 homes off Rayne Road, Braintree.
After debates over the issue on web forums, Ms Gordon claimed heated remarks were made to her by a Braintree Town fan, although the person had since apologised.
She said "for peace of mind" she would accompany her son Harry, 13 - an Iron season ticketholder - to the next game, but she was sure he would be safe.
"It's rather sad it's had to come to that. The divide has happened and you have the people in the middle like me who are slightly more for the fields than the club," she said.
She added: "Football is a game, over in 90 minutes, a field and the countryside should be for life."
But Lee Harding, chairman of Braintree Town, disagreed the debate over the club's and developer's plans was getting out of hand.
He said: "I think we have a situation where there are probably about 200 people who are trying to get their point of view across.
"I don't see it as a row and, from our point of view, we don't see it as explosive as that, and we are keen to be open and honest, letting everyone know what our plans are. It's important people who object have their say."
Gordon Humphris, Braintree Town supporters' club chairman, said on the one hand he could sympathise with residents who opposed the plans, but on the other "everyone who's ever been connected to the club" wanted to see it happen.
He said: "To have a new stadium would be our dream.
"That's what I'm aspiring to and why I'm chairman of the supporters' club - to make sure the supporters get the best out of the club and the club gets the best out of us."
He added there was no way the new stadium complex would be a white elephant, al though his personal view was it would not be feasible to maintain both the current Cressing Road stadium, which would be kept for women's and youth football, and a new stadium for the Iron.
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CommentPosted by: Steve Close, Braintree on 10:13am Fri 22 Feb 08
Just because one women, who has not been offered 120% of the value of her house by the developers, says the town is divided, it's front page news! Is it me or is it time for the B&WT to include the views of people other than 39-year old Wendy Gordon?
Just because one women, who has not been offered 120% of the value of her house by the developers, says the town is divided, it's front page news! Is it me or is it time for the B&WT to include the views of people other than 39-year old Wendy Gordon?
Posted by: Daniel, braintree on 12:35pm Fri 22 Feb 08
well steve i am against it aswell so that makes two, and after looking at a number of forums i can assure you that it is not just one women. i also think it is right to be concerned that this is splitting the town.
well steve i am against it aswell so that makes two, and after looking at a number of forums i can assure you that it is not just one women. i also think it is right to be concerned that this is splitting the town.
Posted by: Dave, Braintree on 12:41pm Fri 22 Feb 08
[quote][bold]Steve Close[/bold] wrote:
Just because one women, who has not been offered 120% of the value of her house by the developers, says the town is divided, it\'s front page news! Is it me or is it time for the B&WT to include the views of people other than 39-year old Wendy Gordon?[/quote] I bet you didn't complain at BTFC/B&WT launch "Braintree Town unveil new stadium plan" and the following week's limited survey of people within a 200 yard radius of the press office. 2 weeks of single-sided reporting.
Bet you didn't complain when the Chairman gets top billing on the letters page (conveniently not mentioning his rural home is not affected) Colne) or this weeks leading letter from Andrew Crowe.
Didn't think so.
Meanwhile although there are few brave enough to be as outspoken as Wendy doesn't mean she doesn't have as many supporters as BTFC do a Saturday.
Steve Close wrote:
Just because one women, who has not been offered 120% of the value of her house by the developers, says the town is divided, it\'s front page news! Is it me or is it time for the B&WT to include the views of people other than 39-year old Wendy Gordon?
I bet you didn't complain at BTFC/B&WT launch "Braintree Town unveil new stadium plan" and the following week's limited survey of people within a 200 yard radius of the press office. 2 weeks of single-sided reporting.
Bet you didn't complain when the Chairman gets top billing on the letters page (conveniently not mentioning his rural home is not affected) Colne) or this weeks leading letter from Andrew Crowe.
Didn't think so.
Meanwhile although there are few brave enough to be as outspoken as Wendy doesn't mean she doesn't have as many supporters as BTFC do a Saturday.
Posted by: Wendy, Braintree on 10:19pm Fri 22 Feb 08
Steve Close wrote:
Just because one women, who has not been offered 120% of the value of her house by the developers, says the town is divided, it's front page news! Is it me or is it time for the B&WT to include the views of people other than 39-year old Wendy Gordon?
Steve,
I have principles and beliefs, whether I have or have not been offered money for my house, is actually quite irrelevant. I would not accept any offer or move either way,because I happen to believe in standing up for my rights and I would not let any developer force or encourage me to leave my home. I also beleive in objecting to the unnecessary destruction of grass land and the wildlife, I am passionate about preserving the countryside and having pride in my surroundings. Not everybody is motivated by money.It is a shame that in todays society, money seems to be the most important thing in peoples lives. Also, if you had read the previous few weeks newspapers, you would see that there are many other people with similar opinions to me. If you are not happy with my views, write to the paper sharing your opinions, or ask them to interview you and you can have your say, I await with interest to read your intelligent and formative argument.
Steve Close wrote:
Just because one women, who has not been offered 120% of the value of her house by the developers, says the town is divided, it's front page news! Is it me or is it time for the B&WT to include the views of people other than 39-year old Wendy Gordon?
Steve,
I have principles and beliefs, whether I have or have not been offered money for my house, is actually quite irrelevant. I would not accept any offer or move either way,because I happen to believe in standing up for my rights and I would not let any developer force or encourage me to leave my home. I also beleive in objecting to the unnecessary destruction of grass land and the wildlife, I am passionate about preserving the countryside and having pride in my surroundings. Not everybody is motivated by money.It is a shame that in todays society, money seems to be the most important thing in peoples lives. Also, if you had read the previous few weeks newspapers, you would see that there are many other people with similar opinions to me. If you are not happy with my views, write to the paper sharing your opinions, or ask them to interview you and you can have your say, I await with interest to read your intelligent and formative argument.
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