Football is a great passion in Gillingham, and with local team, Gillingham FC all kitted out in a brand new strip, and playing their way through the Coca Cola football league, it is only natural that everyone’s minds, including those of Medway council, turns to the beautiful game.
It has been recently announced that plans have been proposed to build a brand new football academy at the Beechings Cross site in Gillingham, somewhere that Ronnie Jepson and his team can come down and watch the supporters play, instead of the other way round! It is planned that the academy will include between ten and twelve floodlit seven-a-side pitches, each with an artificial surface, perfect for those rainy days. A pavilion and parking for 150 cars are also in the pipeline, meaning Sunday morning football has never been easier.
Medway council are currently in talks with two major investors, Goals and Pulse Fitness to help finance and manage the site. Goals operate 21 soccer centres around the UK and are worth an estimate £100m, whilst Pulse Fitness have over 25 years experience in public leisure facilities, and are currently investors in over 60 public sector partnerships.
Following the assessment of current facilities, it is widely believed that Medway residents would benefit from the build, as there are currently not enough facilities available to meet the growing demand, and the centre is set to receive a green light.
The only potential red card for the academy is the problem with the loss of a popular boot sale site. Beechings Cross has long been the best site in the area, and the academy would mean an end to this.
Whatever happens, you can be sure that at some stage Beechings Cross will be given the boot!
By Polly Rivers
