Ground Grading?

[Hutchy]

Hi all,

Long term viewer first time poster. 

Heard some rumours about any potential play off's/ Promotion.

Dose anyone know if the club would hold the appropriate ground grading to gain promotion if they got it? 

 

Edited April 20 by Hutchy

[Fat Tom Daley]

Any works required to meet Step 1 grading would need to be completed by 31st March the following season. 

[Digger. The. Cat!]

National League (Step 1) grounds in England require Grade A accreditation, featuring a minimum 4,000 capacity (500 seated), high-standard floodlights (typically 200+ lux), and strict, FIFA-certified 3G pitch standards if not using grass. The ground must have covered accommodation for 500, turnstiles, and adequate media/medical facilities. 

 

Key National League (Step 1) Ground Requirements (Grade A)

• Capacity: Minimum 4,000, with at least 500 covered seats.
• Pitch: Minimum 100M x64M (or 110yds x 70yds), with strict 3G pitch rules requiring FIFA Quality Pro Certification.
• Floodlights: Must be tested every two years, with new installations needing to meet BS 12193 Class 2 standards.
• Spectator Facilities: A minimum of 3 turnstiles, covered standing/seating, and toilet facilities for all sides of the ground.
• Safety: Permanent 1.83m+ perimeter boundary to prevent viewing from outside, designated medical rooms, and safe, separate access for officials and players. 
   

[Old Codger]

The attendance for the Dagenham all-ticket match was just over 3,000 so the capacity of 4,000 would presumably not be met.

No turnstiles at the away supporters' entrance from Abraham Court.

Would the temporary toilet facilities for the away supporters' be acceptable?

Whilst accepting that some works to meet step 1 grading could presumably be achieved, the ground capacity would seem to be the main problem.

Mind you, Hornchurch have not actually achieved promotion yet and, to be quite honest, the likelihood of them being around for a second season in the National League is probably not great. 

I do have the feeling that National League South is really the natural ceiling for the club and they have relied upon massive financial input from persons unknown to get this far.

Also, a lot of people who like sitting in the Riverside Stand would not be happy at being displaced permanently from their favourite viewing vantage as every match in the National League is likely to be segregated.

    

[The Crowing Cockerel]

I suppose an even more pressing issue might be being able to compete on the pitch. Whilst I'm of course massively jealous of what you have been able to achieve, and I'm sure your wage bill is already fairly significant, just looking at Truro and Aldershot gives an idea of the finances it may take to remain at Step 1. Truro went full-time. Meanwhile, Aldershot are planning to reduce their wage bill from £1.3m to £1.1m next season and are looking for a new manager to work within those 'constraints'. Curious what your plan is if you go up this season? Spend whatever it takes on the ground/squad in an attempt to remain at that level, or hope Darryl can work another miracle? Interesting times.