Why threat of development has been delayed at Nuneaton Borough

A covenant that could help to stop development at the home of Nuneaton Borough Football Club has been extended.

Nuneaton Borough Supporters’ Co-operative (NBSC) has announced it has renewed the Liberty Way Ground as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The Supporters Co-operative became only the second club in the country to register its club’s ground as an ACV and many others have since followed suit.

An ACV can be placed on land or property of importance to a local community and gives it additional protection from development.

Once listed as an ACV with the local authority, the local community will be informed if they are listed for sale within the five-year listing period.

The community can then enact the Community Right to Bid, which gives them a moratorium period of six months to determine if they can raise the finance to purchase the asset.

In a statement, the NBSC said: "Nuneaton Borough Supporters’ Co-operative is pleased to confirm that its application to renew the Liberty Way Ground as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) has been approved by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.

"The renewal was agreed on 22 March 2019, meaning the ACV listing will remain for a further five years.

"Back in 2013, the Supporters Co-operative become only the second club in the country to register their club’s ground as an ACV.

"In subsequent years well over 50 supporters trusts have been successful in registering ACV listings."

'Taking a step back to move two forward'

News about the ACV being renewed comes as, on the field, the club officially prepares to start life in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier next season.

The Borough was officially relegated from the National League North on Saturday, having lost to Chester FC 3-2 at home.

But Dale Belford, assistant boss, says he is relishing the chance to revive Nuneaton Borough’s fortunes and said they are determined not to be negative about the drop, rather see it as a positive - ‘taking a step back to move two forward’.

Dale Belford, assistant boss at Nuneaton Borough FC

“The biggest thing was that, when Jimmy (Ginnelly) took the job, we knew how difficult it would be from a footballing point of view,” he said.

“Then, with everything that has happened, behind-the-scenes as well, it’s been hard to deal with both at the same time.

“The reality is that the chances of getting the team out of trouble was remote.

“But what we did say was we would do our best to prolongue it as long as we could.

“We are down now, it’s happened, but there’s still a club at Nuneaton. ”

'The town will have a football club for people to support'

Just the fact there’s a club is something that was in doubt just a fortnight ago.

And Belford says the Borough must use that to drive themselves forward.

“We will be relatively debt-free at the start of next season and the town will have a football club for people to support,” he said.

“Yes, it will be a different league - relegation is not nice - but in view of the big picture, we have not been wound up.

“Now, let’s have a positive season next year with some stability.

“The club was nearly gone and that can never, ever, happen again.

“Things have to be right from now on.

“We have to regroup, get everyone behind us, take a step back to go forward.

“Let’s see if we can reignite something here, get more fans through the gate and get back to being a community club.

“There are kids teams coming on board, a ladies team and we are going to have a 21s, so let’s give it back to the town really and get the spirit back.”

Nuneaton Borough latest

'We start on an even keel'

And Belford is confident that will mean a competitive team on the football pitch.

“Anyone who knows Jimmy and myself knows we are winners,” he said.

“I think we have to make sure we spend every penny wisely. That needs to be done.

“Everything needs to be transparent from now on but I am really looking forward to next season.

“We start on an even keel with everybody else and we will have a competitive budget.

“We won’t be anywhere near as bad as we were this year, in terms of finances, to get the team through the fixtures and the club out of the situation we are in.

“So hopefully we can have a successful season. We will have a team that the fans can be proud of - honest, hardworking, well organised.

“We will need players who want to put the shirt on for Nuneaton because what has happened at the club this year has to mean something.”

Tonight, Tuesday, April 9, the Boro take on Blythe Spartans and on Saturday, April 13, they travel away again, this time to Bradford Park Avenue.