Groundtastic GT23 | Page 11

Non-League News Main Stand of the ground (Pictured on previous page by Vince Taylor). As well as a sizeable area of covered standing, it also incorporates the circa 1930 wooden stand, from which the original roof has been removed. Further tidying up has seen the demolition of the covered terrace on the far side of the ground, which was specially built for an FA Cup tie against Leyton Orient in 1954. CURZON ASHTON (North West Counties League) / ASHTON UNITED (Unibond League) The proposed joint stadium project for the two East Manchester clubs appears to be off. Plans for a 6,000 capacity ground next to the East Cheshire Harriers running track at Richmond Park, and the consequent sale of Curzon’s National Park ground and United’s Hurst Cross ground, have been under discussion with Tameside Council for some time. However, following Tameside Council’s decision to reduce the capacity of the proposed stadium to only 4,000, United have pulled out of the project, effectively leaving Curzon, who were particularly anxious to move to the new facility, high and dry. GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY (Unibond League) After a series of delays the new main stand at Northolme was finally opened in early August. Interestingly it is built on the same model as its predecessor, retaining the same distinctive barrel-type roof. The seating accommodation has been increased from 220 to 500, which together with other improvements in an overall £180,000 development programme, will bring Northolme up to Conference standard. WESTON-SUPER-MARE (Dr Martens League) Aiming to leave the adequate but somewhat austere surroundings of their current Woodspring Park set-up, the Somerset club are close to completing the purchase of the nearby Westland Sports Club ground. Currently the home of Somerset Senior League side Westland United, who will continue to be based at the site, the large company sports ground complex is seen by Weston as an ideal location for a new ground, plans for which are soon to be drawn up. DE HAVILLAND (Spartan South Midlands League) Following their promotion to the Senior Division, the Hatfield based club have built a small stand at their Comet Way ground. With industrial development due to swallow up the ground and the adjacent former British Aerospace premises within the next two years, plans are in hand to move to a new Ryman League standard ground at the University of Hertfordshire in Ellenbrook. Groundtastic page 11 Issue 23