News Diary

2010/1 Season

MAJOR NEW SIGNING FOR THE BISHOPS

Bishop Auckland FC’s exciting new stadium development is forging ahead with the appointment of a new Commercial Manager.

The Club’s new ground at St Helen’s Auckland is currently under construction and is scheduled for completion in October. The new facility is part of a massive regeneration project that also includes a Sainsbury’s food store.

Kim Fryer has joined the Club to raise its profile within the local business community and sees the development as a major opportunity for the local economy.

Kim’s extensive commercial experience has been gleaned over a number of years working as Castle Manager at Auckland Castle and is looking forward to making the new ground a roaring success.

Kim said: “Being involved with such a high profile development in our community is fantastic. The buzz that the Football Club and the development are creating is really starting to build. I’m here to put a mega phone in-front of that buzz ! And I want local businesses and the local community to realise what a wonderful opportunity we have here - so it’s my job to get people involved now.” Anyone interested in sponsorship can contact me on kimbafc@hotmail.co.uk.

The new ground will open its doors in the Autumn so businesses and the wider community are advised to keep updated on the progress and any opportunities by logging onto http://www.bishopafc.com/ or by contacting Kim Fryer on 07742 567700

BISHOP AUCKLAND FC TEAM UP WITH BISHOP AUCKLAND COLLEGE

A FOOTBALL club and a college are teaming up to provide better facilities for the community. Bishop Auckland FC and Bishop Auckland College have pledged to work together and share resources in an agreement that will benefit fans and students.

The restaurant and function room at a 250- seat stadium planned for Tindale Crescent will be used for catering and hospitality classes. Meanwhile, the turf at the new stadium will be preserved for match days when players train on a college sports field at Woodhouse Lane.

It is also hoped budding student footballers can graduate to play for the football club and get expert career advice from professionals. Youngsters who play for the town’s St Mary’s Juniors FC, also partnered with the college, are to get coaching and more opportunities to develop. Other students have been involved with architects in stadium designs and those learning about construction can visit the site as part of their course.

The college has also donated goal posts for the 1,994-capacity stadium, which will be complete by October.

College principal Anne Isherwood said the move offers students a chance to practise their skills as well as opportunities for the football club to engage with the community. She said: “The college has always been committed to helping the communities of south and west Durham and to work in partnership with other organisations to give the best service to our students. This partnership will be beneficial for many of our students across the curriculum.“

Students will be able to go on site visits and there will be opportunities for work experience in construction, catering and hospitality, sport, IT, business administration and more. “We are very excited about the partnership and look forward to a long and happy relationship with the club.”

Terry Jackson, chairman of Bishop Auckland FC, said he was looking forward to formally signing the agreement with college bosses next Tuesday. He said: “With both organisations in fantastic new buildings, the time really is right to form a strategic alliance. There are a number of opportunities we intend to explore with the college and it all starts now. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”