All spruced up

Craig Mills (from Temple Summerville) puts the finishing touches to the repainting job at Boundary Park.

THE economics are clear for all to see and explain why Athletic are so keen on a move - possibly to the Lancaster Club site.

In the year up to May 31, 2009, Athletic spent £427,000 maintaining Boundary Park and their training facilities - and they are finding it increasingly expensive to maintain what has been their home since 1907.

Athletic employ six full-time staff to work on maintaining the ground and the pitch, including a full time painter/handyman. In addition there is an army of part-time staff.

The major maintenance project this summer has been the repainting of the steelwork in the Leesfield Developments Rochdale Road Stand at a cost of £10,000.

Chief executive Alan Hardy said: “While we do employ our own staff, certain work, such as the painting of the steelwork, has to be done by outside contractors because of its complex nature.

“It is a case of us having to meet and maintain standards because if we fail to do so we would not be granted a safety certificate by the local authority.”