News Release

4th March 2006

MICHAEL FABRICANT BACKS CHASETOWN SPORTS VILLAGE

Building on the success of Chasetown Football Club in the recent FA Cup Competition, Michael Fabricant is backing a scheme which would upgrade the football ground to provide a covered stand with seating - a minimum requirement if the Club is to move into a higher league - and provide a much needed sports village with conference and dining facilities for 300-400 people. Following an earlier meeting held a couple of months back, Michael today (Saturday 4th March) visited the Club for a further meeting with John Donelly (Club Chairman), Brian Baker (Club President), and Councillor Paul Atkins. Michael will now be writing to Tessa Jowell - or her successor as Secretary of State for Culture Media & Sport - to explore the availability of lottery funding to match local financing.

Michael says: "The Chasetown Sports Village will be a huge shot in the arm for the most deprived part of my constituency. By a happy series of coincidences, I believe that the Village can be made a reality offering much needed social and sports facilities. Firstly, money is available from Chasetown FC's success in the FA Cup; secondly, the Club grounds happen to adjoin Chasetown Specialist Sports College whose students would be able to use these facilities; thirdly, neighbouring waste ground which is currently a focus for anti-social behaviour could be converted to a multipurpose Astroturf facility with tennis courts and a bowling green; fourthly, the Village is easily accessible to the rest of the region from Junction 6 of the new M6 Toll Motorway; and finally, it would also provide a much needed venue for the arts in this part of Burntwood. It would be mad if this nexus of circumstances were not now fully taken advantage of.

"I am impressed with the speed and professionalism with which these plans are progressing and they have my enthusiastic support. I shall monitor its progress closely", Michael adds.