10th August, 2000

The new ground project was discussed at length at the club's AGM. Agreement has been reached with the Church Commissioners and Cricket Club on the split of proceeds from the sale of Kingsway. Chairman Tony Duffy says Kingsway will not be sold without funding for the new ground being in place.

 

26th January, 2001

Kingsway officially goes up for sale, asking for offers in the region of £300,000. The dimensions of the land for sale have been surveyed and agreed with the Church Commissioners and Cricket Club. Tony Duffy is unable to put an accurate timescale on the proposed sale and move, indicating it will be at least eighteen months.

 

1st June, 2001

The BAFC Board has completed a complex application to the Football Foundation, and progress through the initial phases has been successful. Work continues on the plans and finance. The project requires funding from several areas, not least the sale of the shared Kingsway site.

 

22nd August, 2001

The club is busy preparing a business plan in the hope it can get an £850,000 grant from the Football Foundation. Outline planning permission for the site is renewed by Wear Valley District Council (WVDC) after the time limit on the original application had lapsed. It is estimated that the new stadium, with a 10,000 capacity, will cost £1.1m.

 

20th October, 2001

Tony Duffy posts letters to 200 businesses and urges fans throughout the region to support the development. Malcolm Parker, who advises the BAFC Board, says: "Bishop Auckland is a hotbed of football. We have dreams of fulfilling the FA's philosophy of developing the sport at grass roots level with nine coaching programmes for boys and girls, aged from 7 to 15. We envisage our own women's side, an academy for 16 and 17 year olds, and a reserve team".

 

25th October, 2001

The bid is formally presented to representatives of the FA and the Football Foundation, and is very well received. Funds are available from both bodies. Despite officially backing an alternative scheme involving Bishop Auckland College and St John's RC School, a letter of support for the grass roots development is received from WVDC.

 

3rd November, 2001

The club fears that its dream of building the £1.3m ground may collapse. The plans could qualify for up to £150,000 from the Football Stadium Improvement Fund (FSIF), which can award another £100,000 to cover relocation costs. BAFC Board members fear that its bid for grass roots facilities could lose out to a separate £1m project submitted by the College and St John's School. However, the Football Foundation insists the bids are not rivals, saying that both could be successful.

 

3rd November, 2001

The biggest crowd of the season at Kingsway pledges support, and hundreds of others in the town sign a petition urging WVDC to champion the clubs' cause. Council leader Olive Brown denies the authority's support for the college scheme means that it has turned its back on the football club, saying: "The last thing we want is to see Bishop Auckland go down. Of course they have the full support of the council — they always have had. The important thing is to move forward and work in partnership to get the best possible solution for the football club".

20th March, 2002

After extensive negotiations with Crook Town, Shildon and West Auckland Town, the Board of Directors announce that BAFC have agreed to groundshare at Shildon's Dean Street home for next season.

 

20th April, 2002

Bishops say farewell to Kingsway with a disappointing defeat at the hands of Bradford Park Avenue in a Northern Premier League match. Afterwards, there are penalties and goals galore as the final ever game at the famous old stadium is played out by supporters.

 

15th October, 2002

The Club receives formal confirmation from the FSIF that (given a number of perfectly reasonable caveats about how the bid is processed) it is eligible for the maximum £250,000 grant. Whilst the grass roots bid remains on hold, detailed planning for a scaled down stadium progresses.

 

6th October 2003

Solicitors acting on behalf of the trustees of Bishop Auckland Football Club and Cricket Club draw up contracts to complete the sale of the land. The stumbling block had been Sport England, who laid down a stipulation that the sale could not go ahead until BAFC had done substantial work on a new ground. This obstacle was removed when Durham Benevolents (who are planning to buy Kingsway) provide substantial funding to WVDC to drain a public playing field in the area and make it playable again.

 

26th November, 2004

After FSIF officials have worked with the club for two years, Peter Lee, FSIF Chief Executive, says: "This historic club will soon have some of the best facilities in the region. I am delighted that FSIF have been able to play a part in bringing a modern new ground for the club and their fans to enjoy the game". The club is at an advanced stage of the detailed planning permission process with WVDC.

 

23rd March, 2005

WVDC Planning officers recommend that planning details for the £700,000 project be approved at a meeting of the council's Development Control Committee. The application features a Green Travel Plan, which aims to encourage club visitors to use more sustainable modes of transport such as walking, cycling, and buses. Letters of support for the use of vacant parking spaces on match days are received from Garnetts Coaches and Hathaways.

 

2nd April, 2005

WVDC discuss the scheme, welcoming and approving the new stadium plans for a football pitch, stand, and covered terrace. New club chairman Terry Jackson says: "This has been an important part of the project for us. We are very pleased".

 

29th June, 2005

Plans are on hold because property company Ashtene have yet to assign a covenant to Durham County Council (DCC). Having seemingly ignored the council's numerous attempts to resolve the issue over the past four years, Ashtene indicate they are willing to negotiate a variance to the covenant providing they can divest themselves of their interest (including the responsibility for maintenance) of the nearby reedbed purification system, which serves the company's industrial estate.

 

26th July, 2006

The BAFC Board issues a statement outlining the new reasons behind the continuing delay. DCC have indicated that they wish to re-negotiate the sale of the 13 acres of land earmarked for the new football ground. The stumbling block is a three acre plot the club want to immediately sell to property developers Terrace Hill, the sale of which will help finance building the new stadium. Terrace Hill and the council are locked in negotiations.

4th February, 2008

Terrace Hill reaches an agreement in principle with DCC, but the decision needs to be ratified by councillors. Although no date has been set for this, BAFC hopes work can start by late summer.

 

26th July, 2008

Terrace Hill run a public exhibition of their plans for a mixed-use leisure and retail development, that will include Sainsbury's, BAFC football ground, a multiplex cinema, ten-pin bowling, bingo facilities, and food and drink uses. Several hundred town residents learn more about the scheme, and the response is largely positive and very encouraging.

 

4th September, 2008

Terrace Hill submits plans to WVDC for the whole of the Tindale Crescent site. The proposed Bishops' stadium will be built to Northern Premier League standard, and will include a 250 seat stand with a social facility on the first floor, a covered terrace, and 125 car parking spaces. The application should go before the planning committee before the turn of the year, with a view to getting started on site early in 2009. If so, the new stadium will be ready for the start of the 2010/11 season.

 

4th October, 2008

It is feared that Terrace Hill's £45m development could be scuppered by a rival scheme. Water cooling company Ebac (one of BAFC's main sponsors) plans to sell its factory and build a fridge manufacturing plant nearby, and will submit outline proposals to WVDC which include a Tesco supermarket and petrol station. John Elliott, who also intends to include sports facilities in his scheme, says: "It will be up to the council to decide, and I will support their decision".

 

14th November, 2008

Planning officers at WVDC advise members to approve the Terrace Hill scheme. Ebac, Morrisons, and an unnamed Bishop Auckland resident are the only three objectors to the project.

 

20th November, 2008

The WVDC Development Control Committee meet to discuss the development. Planning officers indicate their approval of the scheme. Speakers from Helios Properties and Ebac voice their objections but council consultants confirm there is sufficient retail demand for a new supermarket. Representatives from Terrace Hill, Sainsbury's, and BAFC chairman Terry Jackson all speak in support. Council members also express their support, and unanimously vote to approve the scheme, although final approval is needed from Government Office North-East because the proposal is contrary to the Wear Valley District Local Plan and because of the size of the supermarket.

 

3rd March, 2009

A new twist as rival developer, Ebac chairman John Elliott, announces that he is now supporting the development of the new ground, and has told Government Office North-East about his change of heart. The final decision rests with secretary of state Baroness Kay Andrews. If she decides to 'call in' the proposal, the issue would go to a public inquiry, leading to months of additional delays that could put the scheme in serous jeopardy.

 

17th March, 2009

Baroness Kay Andrews tells WVDC that she is not 'calling in' the development because it does not conflict with national planning policies and her intervention would not be justified. Local MP Helen Goodman says: "I am particularly pleased that Bishop Auckland Town FC will now get the new ground they deserve".

 

28th July, 2009

Durham County Councillors overwhelmingly vote to waive the requirement for a 'Section 106 Agreement' - a legal instrument usually used to place restrictions on developers, often requiring them to minimise the impact on the local community and to carry out tasks that will provide community benefits. There are now no further (foreseeable) planning obstacles for the planned development.

 

14th November, 2009

The first diggers arrive on site and work finally begins on BAFC's new ground at Tindale Crescent.

 

18th November, 2009

The official 'ground breaking' ceremony takes place. Representatives from the club, Terrace Hill, Town Council, Durham County Council, Tindale Crescent Residents Association, groundwork contractors Hellens, and the Football Foundation, are joined by BAFC supporters to officially mark the start of the development of the new stadium. Club chairman Terry Jackson and Terrace Hill director Duncan McEwan have the shovels as construction vehicles continue to work on in the background.

 

6th December, 2009

Five years after being awarded a major £250,000 grant by the FSIF, BAFC finally register their first claim against it, thanks to the superb support of the Football Foundation who have remained understanding and patient throughout the whole process.

 

24th February, 2010

BAFC announce that the new ground will have an official capacity of 2,003, the main stand seating 250 and the cover behind the west goal offering shelter for 472. There will be car parking spaces for 120 vehicles, including disabled bays. The provisional date for completion is 11th October. Club officials submit applications for alcohol and entertainment licenses. Bishop Auckland College's management team are designing the layout of the stadium's interior and the pitch is soon due to be seeded to ensure the grass grows over the summer. The stadium has been awarded an FA Category C grade, meaning it is suitable for use up to the Northern Premier League's Premier Division.

 

18th October, 2010

The ground is completed and BAFC finally receive the keys to their new home. It is confirmed that the first competitive match will be the Northern League fixture against South Shields on 9th November. To mark the opening of the new ground, BAFC will play a friendly against Middlesborough.

 

24th October, 2010

The official opening event takes place.

 

2nd November, 2010

Bishop Auckland FC vs Middlesbrough FC