May 5: Saints and Cobblers' bickering must stop
After checking out the Chron's report detailing the Saints' plans to extend their ground, it certainly gave me a feeling of deja vu.
Being a keen Cobblers' fan and season ticket holder at Sixfields, the Cobblers' struggle to develop Sixfields has been well documented in this paper.
My immediate assumption is that the Saints are trying to do exactly what the Cobblers are trying to do in that they would be using retail development on leased property to raise money to expand their stadium.
The Saints regularly sell out, so making more seats available for them seems a wise idea to increase attendance.
While the Cobblers have struggled to sell out this season, the expansion of Sixfields will guarantee 24/7 income for the football club, as we cannot continue to survive or improve on matchday receipts alone. If this happens, Sixfields is much more likely to be selling out in the future.
Therefore, there is cause for both teams to have expanded stadiums. What is saddening to see though is the constant bickering between Saints and Cobblers fans. It seems to sum up the whole place of Northampton.
For both clubs to succeed, Saints and Cobblers fans should be supporting each other because ultimately it is better for the town if both are successful.
The borough council's and WNDC's stance on Sixfields has certainly put them in an uncomfortable position in regards to the Saints' recent proposals.
Seemingly, if the council has any backbone then it will have to reject these plans until 2026 because, even if ASDA will only sell food, it is still out-of-town retail. If however, it approves them, then Cobblers fans should retain all rights to be very angry indeed.
The best-case scenario is that both teams can get their proposals approved, which would mean Northampton has two top quality stadia and successful teams that the whole town can be proud of. It is a scenario that the whole of Northampton should wish for.
James Averill, Dowthorpe Hill, Earls Barton
This will make parking worse
Following the Chron's homage to Keith Barwell on Friday, I would like to raise a number of issues that were not addressed in the article. Firstly, if Asda plans to build its new superstore on the Saints' car park, where will the Saints fans and shoppers park?
As a resident of St James, I already have to suffer the ignorance of those Saints fans who see fit to drive at unsafe speeds in residential areas as well as park dangerously and inconsiderately. This matter was reported in this newspaper only a fortnight ago.
If the car park in Edgar Mobbs Way is built upon, exactly where are those 17,000 fans to park?
Also, with Sainsburys already at Sixfields, Tesco at Mereway and Iceland and Aldi in St James, do we really need another superstore?
Would it not be possible for Asda to re-open the store at the former Co-op in Weedon Road? This premises has stood empty since Asda closed down a couple of years ago and surely would be a more suitable site.
Perhaps if Mr Barwell and Asda intend to plough ahead with their ill-conceived scheme, they will consider supplying Northamptonshire County Council with the means to establish and maintain a permanent parking permit scheme for St James and Duston?
Alternatively they could make sure there are enough free parking spaces at Franklin's Gardens, with the sufficient infrastructure, so those attending the ground stop being a nuisance to people living in the area.
Craig Forsyth, Symington Street, St James, Northampton
Club should unite and push forward
AS a long time Cobblers supporter, I have seen us flirt with success and disaster (more of the latter than the former) for what seems an eternity.
Being born in our only year in the top flight means that I have only my Dad's misty-eyed recollections to go on, but moments like being behind the goal at Wembley in 1997 have kept me believing that maybe it will come again.
The tortuous dealings with the council and our ultimate relegation compared with the progress of the Saints and their seemingly successful re-development plans have left me frustrated and angry at times.
Yet the calls that this should be turned to our advantage are correct. The two clubs should unite to push for what would only benefit the town as a whole.
A successful rugby and football club would bring prestige and attention to Northampton. The redevelopment of the County Ground has certainly made me want to visit the cricket more often and the example of Leicester celebrating its prowess in three sports should also be adopted by us.
If any members of the council are reading this, please think again about the plans of NTFC and the Cardozas.
We care passionately about our club and its future. A winning Cobblers team would attract people in every other week who would spend money at the various bars, pubs and restaurants in and around the town. And God forbid we ever get to the promised land of the Premiership, think of the exposure abroad.
The progress of our beloved neighbours in blue and the MK Dons are hard to watch but ultimately are examples that we could follow if only given the support from the Guildhall. As I live in Irchester, my vote has no bearing on anyone's political future but days like these make me want to buy a house in the town centre just to get a ballot card!
Paul Arnett, Farndish Road, Irchester
Wonderful NHS saved my life
After hearing and reading reports of how bad our hospitals are performing, it does worry people about to go in for treatment.
I am 74 years old and have never actually been in for any procedures all my life, but the need came and I am now writing to congratulate the wonderful cardiac team for all the care and attention I received.
I am so full of praise for Dr Helen Binns, Dr R Cox and all the dedicated team working together for our National Health Service in our Northampton General Hospital. After having an angiography, followed next day by angioplasty, it probably saved my life.
I want people to realise all the good decisions and wonderful achievements instead of the negative things.
Also, they are doing their very best to separate wards. I was in an all-women's ward and the men's ward was further down.
Well done NGH and well done heart clinic.
Mrs P Johnson, Oundle Drive, Moulton
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Friday 10 February 2012
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