In an article in today's Hereford Times, David Keyte has mentioned how the recent addition of Bob Pritchard to the Hereford United board is a very important off-pitch signing.
Perhaps the most important off-pitch signing for the club has been the
appointment of Bob Pritchard as a non-executive director said the Hereford United chairman.
Bob brings a wealth of experience from the property development world
and has accepted a brief to secure the development of each end of the
football ground.
With the Cattle Market project now showing at least a
75 per cent take up, our own possibilities have at last started to
brighten.
It is proposed that the two 30-year leases on the ground be
surrendered and replaced by three new leases to cover (i) the football
club facilities including the pitch; (ii) the Blackfriars End and (iii)
the Merton Meadow End.
Each of the two ends can be developed separately with 250-year leases, if approved by council planners.
Current expectation is for commercial use at the Blackfriars End and residential development of the Meadow End.
The football-related facilities will include terracing squared off to
the goal-lines and ideally provide a 2,000 capacity at each end. Target
deadlines are for the revised leases to be concluded in three months and
interested developers to be ascertained within six months.
Bob will be attempting to achieve the best value for each area of land on offer, and will be providing regular updates.