I've been wondering for a while where the club stand in regards to staying where they are medium to long-term. I really don't know very much about it, only bits i've read online, or on the occasion i've heard people overtalking at games.

I understand that the land is owned by the school nearby (though i've also been told it's owned by a local church) and that until last season Road rented/subletted through the County FA. I had taken it as true that the County FA relocated to Salford Sports Village, but i've read a couple of people say that hit problems and they are still playing games at the ground. I know that it still hosts a couple of amateur games each week aswell.

It would be reassuring to know that the club had some sort of agreement in place with whoever the owners might be. It's a cracking little ground, love it to bits. It needs a lick of paint obviously, but if anything that adds to the mystique of the place. Would be great to know the club's future there was secure.

Most of your understanding appears to be correct in terms of the ground being owned by the church, the lease being up for renewal and our position of previously being sub-tenants, but are now more likely to be prime tenants.

Unfortunately, I missed the AGM due to family commitments in Devon, as it was then that I was hoping to get an update. I do know that the club have tried like mad to get the church to talk in a meaningful manner about the ground, but when I last checked, little or nothing was coming back. Obviously the club would be reluctant to spend significant amounts of money on upgrading the ground if we can't have the security of a long lease.

I will do my best to find out more, although if negotiations have by any chance got to a delicate stage, then discretion may have to be the order of the day. Under those circumstances, you/we may have to wait a while before knowing exactly what the long term future holds.

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MAINE ROAD F.C.
South Manchester's Premier Club