Stones meet with landlords KSIMC and local MP Boris Johnson to resolve club’s future at The Vale
Boris Johnson continued to pledge his support for Wealdstone FC, who are based within his Uxbridge and South Ruislip Constituency, as he met with representatives of both Wealdstone and Landlords KSIMC of London to try and resolve the future of the Club at their current home within Ruislip.
The club, football nomads for over 20 years after selling their Lower Mead Ground in Harrow in the early 1990s, have been based at the Grosvenor Vale Stadium in Ruislip for the last 15 years and have been in discussions with its landlords for some time about securing its long-term future at the site. However, after discussions had stalled, Mr Johnson offered to step in to try and find a way forward.
Whilst Hollywood owned Wrexham may grab the headlines, the real underdog story in the National League is at part time Wealdstone who against all the odds finished 13th in the league indeed having spent much of the season within the playoff places.
Darren Linden, Engagement and Community Director at Wealdstone FC said “We’re playing in a high profile, professional league and we’re rightly proud of what we’ve achieved. Realistically if we’re going to continue to compete at this level and invest in the infrastructure that will allow us to progress into the EFL we need a long-term lease at Grosvenor Vale.
“Whilst our tenure at the Vale is secured for at least the next three years after a lease extension was signed in March this wasn’t the outcome we wanted as the short-term nature of the lease prevents us from accessing both football and other sporting grants and from significantly investing our own funds in improving the Grosvenor Vale site for the benefit of not just the football club but the entire community. The meeting was constructive and positive with plenty of ideas shared as to how collectively we can work towards securing a long-term lease at the site and we thank Mr Johnson for his both his continuing interest and efforts to find a way forward”.
Boris Johnson added “My thanks to KSIMC of London for meeting with me and the Directors of Wealdstone FC to discuss the future of the Grosvenor Vale grounds in Ruislip Manor. The club has an exciting future ahead after a terrific season and I am proud to be supporting their exciting plans to develop the grounds to benefit the whole community".
Pic by Darren Campbell