Seaford Town Football Club planning fence for ground

Seaford Town Football Club was given permission by Seaford Town Council earlier in the year to build an eight foot perimeter fence around part of its ground at The Crouch in Bramber Lane.

The move was met with opposition by some people in the area who printed leaflets calling for the fence not to be built.

The club wanted to address claims on the leaflet and clarify that people will have full access to the ground when fixtures are not being played.

The club has previously asked dog walkers to keep their pets on leads when walking on the pitch

The Crouch has been the target of vandalism in the past and the club claim it is regularly left with dog waste on the pitch.

Chairman Tom Webster started the petition calling for support of the club’s plans. So far it has garnered nearly 1,000 signatures.

The petition read: “Because of the open nature of the park the football club suffers from vandalism and are we limited to what we can do due to fear of wasting money and effort on things that will be destroyed.

Parts of the ground have been vandalised before match days. Picture from Seaford Town Football Club

“We have received council facilities committee approval to build an eight foot fence subject to a successful planning application.

“The plan is to fence in the football playing area allowing us to control the pitch area and ensure it is safe and suitable for a club that plays at the standard of football we do.

“As a club we have decided to only build a six foot fence as a compromise to ensure we are not obstructing any of our neighbours’ views.”

A ticket booth was pushed over and table vandalised last month. Pictures from STFC

The club pointed towards other county clubs in the area, all of which have enclosed grounds and said it should have “comparable facilities” to these teams otherwise it risks hitting its “ceiling” to progress as a team.

“Dog walkers are using the pitch area to exercise their dogs on a daily basis”, read the petition, “additional footfall damages the pitch and hazardous dog waste which is often left behind is a danger if gets into the eyes, nose or mouth of players and can mean a trip to the hospital.

“Dog urine is also toxic to grass and kills off patches of grass where a dog has urinated.

The ground would be open to people on non-match days

“Hopefully you are able to see how important this is to the successful development of the club and what we can provide to the town with its approval.

"Without the fence the club will be at a ceiling of growth and unable to progress.

“As a non-profit we do not have the funds or ability to seek a new location in which to build an enclosed facility, so this is our only option if we are to have any hope in progressing.”

A drawing from the club of where the fence would be

The town council has also agreed to allow the club to take on pitch maintenance on a one year trial basis.

Seaford Town Football Club will be investing its own funds into improvement of the playing surface and is currently carrying out renovation of the clubhouse.

Adam Chugg, town clerk for the town council, said: "We're looking at this issue very carefully, we are aware of the strong arguments on both sides.

"There will be a council meeting looking at this in September, we will then be able to form a firmer view on this matter."