Rangers in move plan
Stafford Rangers are pressing ahead with plans to improve their ground despite the growing threat of relegation and the possibility of a move to a new home. Stafford Rangers are pressing ahead with plans to improve their ground despite the growing threat of relegation and the possibility of a move to a new home. The team lost 4-0 at home to Staffordshire rivals Tamworth on Saturday, leaving them fifth from bottom in the Nationwide Conference. Chairman Jon Downing is still maintaining confidence in the team and manager Phil Robinson despite the disappointing result. "We have come a long way in the last 18 months with promotion to the Conference a huge achievement. It would be sad to lose that status. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
The team lost 4-0 at home to Staffordshire rivals Tamworth on Saturday, leaving them fifth from bottom in the Nationwide Conference.
Chairman Jon Downing is still maintaining confidence in the team and manager Phil Robinson despite the disappointing result.
"We have come a long way in the last 18 months with promotion to the Conference a huge achievement. It would be sad to lose that status.
"There is a lot of character in the team and it has got to start happening on the pitch. We are due a good run," he said.
He said the board was aware of the situation but felt that the club was on course to turn the corner on the pitch and there was no sense of panic.
"We have 11 games to play and 33 points at stake. We have got to start winning. We are due some luck. I am frustrated for the club and the supporters. I love this club and want to see us successful," he said.
Mr Downing said ahead of Saturday's game that Rangers was an ambitious club and they wanted to take the club forward.
He said that the club had gone as far as it could at the moment at its current ground at Marston Road.
"We are looking at pieces of land around the Stafford area for a new ground," he confirmed.
Ahead of any new stadium the club is still looking to improve Marston Road.
Stewards were placed at two corners of the ground on Saturday where two large holes had been drilled to test the foundations.
Mr Downing said that if Rangers stayed in the Conference they would need to do work to improve the terracing. But he said they would not carry out any major work if they went ahead with plans for a new stadium.
"There is no point in spending £300,000 to £400,000 on major improvements now if we are going to move into a new ground in five years. We are making progress in our search for a suitable site, but I can't disclose what sites we are looking at," he added.
Rangers have played at Marston Road for more than 100 years. During last season the floodlights were replaced and the seating capacity of the stand was increased to over 500 seats.
Rangers, who have 38 points from 35 games – five more than the bottom club – entertain seventh-placed Gravesend and Northfleet in a league match tomorrow at 7.45pm. Tickets are £12 for adults.
