" Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:28 am
They have a 20 year lease at over £200,000 a year and City cant get out of it.
I honestly dont believe they ever intend to leave and will stay there with Gerald Leeke the owner improving them, just my opinion.
Also of all the people Dave Jones and Terry Burton, said they were some of the finest training facilities they have ever seen.
Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities
Jun 18 2012
CARDIFF City are being urged to build their Premier League dream in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The club’s Malaysian backers are planning a £10m Premier League-class training ground as part of an overall £100m investment.
The Malaysians have identified a potential site at Sanatorium Road within a few miles of the Cardiff City Stadium and images of how the training ground would look have been released.
But Gerald Leeke, who owns the Vale of Glamorgan Resort where City currently rent their training HQ, insisted: “Stay with us and you can have all the pitches and top-quality facilities you need.
“There are plenty of opportunities we will talk through.
“The Malaysian investors (Vincent Tan and Dato Chan Tien Ghee) are keen to own the training ground and they can buy it, and we will manage and maintain pitches to ensure they stay in the best condition.
“That is something we already work hard on with all pitches at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort, and that will continue.”
The Bluebirds have been based at the Vale since 2007, but have had one main pitch to train on in that time, though they can utilise the one-and-a-half pitches usually used by the Football Association of Wales.
However, ambitious Cardiff want six training pitches in the aim of building towards and sustaining top-flight football.
The Bluebirds have identified a suitable site in and around the Cardiff Civil Service pitches in the city, but many supporters have questioned whether funds are better diverted elsewhere.
And Leeke, whose company have been a major sponsor for the Bluebirds over many seasons, is willing to help the Malaysians buy a new training ground in the Vale.
He has moved quickly to ensure the Bluebirds have more training space for the new season, laying two mini-pitches immediately to help manager Malky Mackay and his backroom staff.
And he has identified 30 acres of land where space is available to lay two top-quality pitches, allowing Cardiff’s senior, under-21 development, under-18 and under-16 squads to train on the same site every day.
A key factor is that, under Mackay, City use the Vale facilities far more than they did when Dave Jones was Cardiff manager and all the players breakfast together before training each morning.
“We have built a strong relationship with Cardiff City over the years and understand they need training facilities suitable for a team aspiring to be in the Premier League,” said Leeke.
“The players do a lot of close control work in training, using mainly the middle part of their pitch.
“For the new season, we will have two 60x40m areas which will help them with all that close control work.
“We have also drawn up plans to lay six new pitches as soon as possible and that may include a new building if needed.
“All that is more than possible and we would love the Bluebirds to stick with us.”
The new mini-pitches are on land which had originally been selected as a site for an indoor barn training area when Jones was the manager.
As well as City, the FAW, the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Blues use the Vale’s training facilities.
The Blues also share the main pavilion building with the Bluebirds just off the main road into the four-star hotel and leisure complex.
Some of Europe’s leading football teams, including Manchester United, have used the resort as a training getaway, and Leeke said: “We’ve had top English, Italian and Spanish teams taking a break here.
“We seem to have a growing reputation in football and we’d love Cardiff City to stay with us.”
Mackay and club chief executive Alan Whiteley have both confirmed the Bluebirds are talking to the Vale of Glamorgan Resort about expanding training facilities on site.
“Gerald and Stephen Leeke (managing director at the Vale Resort) have been great, and we work well together,” said Mackay.
“The simple reason for talking about the future is that we don’t currently have enough pitches.
“There are on-going discussions about how to overcome the fact that we have only one pitch. That’s not their fault because club finances at the time our training facility first came into use meant the club wasn’t in a position to take up more land.
“But we are a top-end Championship club with aspirations to be in Premier League.
“It is a lovely training ground in a fantastic setting and we have a good relationship with Cardiff Blues and everybody at the Vale.
“But one pitch isn’t really good enough for a professional football club at our level,” added the Cardiff manager.
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z1y7ia2dGI
I honestly dont believe they ever intend to leave and will stay there with Gerald Leeke the owner improving them, just my opinion.
Also of all the people Dave Jones and Terry Burton, said they were some of the finest training facilities they have ever seen.
Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities
Jun 18 2012
CARDIFF City are being urged to build their Premier League dream in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The club’s Malaysian backers are planning a £10m Premier League-class training ground as part of an overall £100m investment.
The Malaysians have identified a potential site at Sanatorium Road within a few miles of the Cardiff City Stadium and images of how the training ground would look have been released.
But Gerald Leeke, who owns the Vale of Glamorgan Resort where City currently rent their training HQ, insisted: “Stay with us and you can have all the pitches and top-quality facilities you need.
“There are plenty of opportunities we will talk through.
“The Malaysian investors (Vincent Tan and Dato Chan Tien Ghee) are keen to own the training ground and they can buy it, and we will manage and maintain pitches to ensure they stay in the best condition.
“That is something we already work hard on with all pitches at the Vale of Glamorgan Resort, and that will continue.”
The Bluebirds have been based at the Vale since 2007, but have had one main pitch to train on in that time, though they can utilise the one-and-a-half pitches usually used by the Football Association of Wales.
However, ambitious Cardiff want six training pitches in the aim of building towards and sustaining top-flight football.
The Bluebirds have identified a suitable site in and around the Cardiff Civil Service pitches in the city, but many supporters have questioned whether funds are better diverted elsewhere.
And Leeke, whose company have been a major sponsor for the Bluebirds over many seasons, is willing to help the Malaysians buy a new training ground in the Vale.
He has moved quickly to ensure the Bluebirds have more training space for the new season, laying two mini-pitches immediately to help manager Malky Mackay and his backroom staff.
And he has identified 30 acres of land where space is available to lay two top-quality pitches, allowing Cardiff’s senior, under-21 development, under-18 and under-16 squads to train on the same site every day.
A key factor is that, under Mackay, City use the Vale facilities far more than they did when Dave Jones was Cardiff manager and all the players breakfast together before training each morning.
“We have built a strong relationship with Cardiff City over the years and understand they need training facilities suitable for a team aspiring to be in the Premier League,” said Leeke.
“The players do a lot of close control work in training, using mainly the middle part of their pitch.
“For the new season, we will have two 60x40m areas which will help them with all that close control work.
“We have also drawn up plans to lay six new pitches as soon as possible and that may include a new building if needed.
“All that is more than possible and we would love the Bluebirds to stick with us.”
The new mini-pitches are on land which had originally been selected as a site for an indoor barn training area when Jones was the manager.
As well as City, the FAW, the Welsh Rugby Union and Cardiff Blues use the Vale’s training facilities.
The Blues also share the main pavilion building with the Bluebirds just off the main road into the four-star hotel and leisure complex.
Some of Europe’s leading football teams, including Manchester United, have used the resort as a training getaway, and Leeke said: “We’ve had top English, Italian and Spanish teams taking a break here.
“We seem to have a growing reputation in football and we’d love Cardiff City to stay with us.”
Mackay and club chief executive Alan Whiteley have both confirmed the Bluebirds are talking to the Vale of Glamorgan Resort about expanding training facilities on site.
“Gerald and Stephen Leeke (managing director at the Vale Resort) have been great, and we work well together,” said Mackay.
“The simple reason for talking about the future is that we don’t currently have enough pitches.
“There are on-going discussions about how to overcome the fact that we have only one pitch. That’s not their fault because club finances at the time our training facility first came into use meant the club wasn’t in a position to take up more land.
“But we are a top-end Championship club with aspirations to be in Premier League.
“It is a lovely training ground in a fantastic setting and we have a good relationship with Cardiff Blues and everybody at the Vale.
“But one pitch isn’t really good enough for a professional football club at our level,” added the Cardiff manager.
Read More http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballna ... z1y7ia2dGI
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:28 am
Four million quid just to get out of the lease at the vale, i would rather two players worth two million quid instead of this besides everyone whos already used the vale say its tip top even man utd used it while back 
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:35 am
"gerard Leeke WHO OWNES THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COMPLEX"!!! Anyone else wonder why he wants us to stay there? 20 year lease@ £200,000 a year!?
Of course he wants us to stay! Pointless thread, next!
Of course he wants us to stay! Pointless thread, next!
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:45 am
Bluebird99 wrote:"gerard Leeke WHO OWNES THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COMPLEX"!!! Anyone else wonder why he wants us to stay there? 20 year lease@ £200,000 a year!?
Of course he wants us to stay! Pointless thread, next!
How is is pointless thats what we will have to do to get out of this place the point is we got top class training facilities already yet we will be taking anothet hit in the old loan area to get out of it and even more loans to build are own, yet on the field it could be used afterall thats where it counts.
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:55 am
With only 1 pitch is it obvious that the facilities are not state of the art but neither are they rubbish and I think if a deal can be done for the development of additional pitches, even like Liverpool where they have a pitch with undersoil heating, it will be another massive step forward.
There is plenty of land down at sanatorium road and I sure the £10m suggested by VT in his statement will create an unbelieveable training facility. Also another assest for the club so for me owning will always be better than renting.
There is plenty of land down at sanatorium road and I sure the £10m suggested by VT in his statement will create an unbelieveable training facility. Also another assest for the club so for me owning will always be better than renting.
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 7:58 am
Any contract can be got out of for the right price. Just ask the blues!
In the long term it's best we have our own training facilities. You never know what the vale might charge after the 20 years are up. Could be 3-400k a year, who knows.
In the long term it's best we have our own training facilities. You never know what the vale might charge after the 20 years are up. Could be 3-400k a year, who knows.
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 8:16 am
Pidgeofcdf wrote:Any contract can be got out of for the right price. Just ask the blues!
In the long term it's best we have our own training facilities. You never know what the vale might charge after the 20 years are up. Could be 3-400k a year, who knows.
Even though City are 'paying' £200k a year to rent the Vale,I would be surprised if any actual money changes hands. The Vale get match tickets,match sponsorships,player appearances and advertising hoardings and City get the training facilities. From my own experience in dealing with professional sports club that is how it tends to work. The deals are mostly contra'd.
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:20 am
May be the reserves and Under-21's could continue to train at the Vale, while a facility deadicated to the first team could be built at the Sanitorium Road site?
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:42 am
Buinsness man wants to continue to get £200,000 a year or have facilities bought. No real surprise there, don't really blame him either.
http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0 ... 03,00.html
Bellamy stated a year ago, that our training facilities are average. So, given his relationship with TG and VT, it doesn't surprise me that training facilities are one of the priorities for the Malaysian's.
Still, i'll believe they actually have intent on this when there is a shovel in the earth.
http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0 ... 03,00.html
Bellamy stated a year ago, that our training facilities are average. So, given his relationship with TG and VT, it doesn't surprise me that training facilities are one of the priorities for the Malaysian's.
Still, i'll believe they actually have intent on this when there is a shovel in the earth.
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:26 pm
Owning our own factilities is far better long term.
Those facilities can be rented out, opened to the public raising money for the club.
Sod what Leekes boy wants, assuming there's no opt out which I doubt, quid pro quo for preventing the Blues going bust.
Those facilities can be rented out, opened to the public raising money for the club.
Sod what Leekes boy wants, assuming there's no opt out which I doubt, quid pro quo for preventing the Blues going bust.
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:32 pm
nerd wrote:Owning our own factilities is far better long term.
Those facilities can be rented out, opened to the public raising money for the club.
Sod what Leekes boy wants, assuming there's no opt out which I doubt, quid pro quo for preventing the Blues going bust.
My thoughts exactly.
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:42 pm
What will be stranger than us playing in red at home will be some of our opponents playing in blue!
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 5:38 pm
Taff on the Mersey wrote:What will be stranger than us playing in red at home will be some of our opponents playing in blue!
replied on completely the wrong thread.
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:15 pm
can i put forward the reporter of the echo up for the booker prize for fiction for the noval
whittingham best play outside of the premier league
also mm said he needs 6 training pitches to learn to play one up front he also said he was pleased the way the seaon went
and i would be if it didnt cost me 3.000 pound well paying in red this year maybe marshall can found our strikers with is kicking this year hudson run faster miller hit the target cowie do something to make me think he a football
whittingham best play outside of the premier league
also mm said he needs 6 training pitches to learn to play one up front he also said he was pleased the way the seaon went
and i would be if it didnt cost me 3.000 pound well paying in red this year maybe marshall can found our strikers with is kicking this year hudson run faster miller hit the target cowie do something to make me think he a football
Re: " Bluebirds urged to stick with Vale training facilities "
Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:09 pm
In all honesty Gerald leeke prob pays £200k to his gardeners at his home, he wouldn't miss it from the City