City of Liverpool FC's quest for a permanent home has hit a roadblock as Liverpool Council has rejected their bid to take over green space in Edge Lane. The club, known as the Purps, has been seeking a home ground since its inception in 2015.
The Northern Premier League club has yet to establish a permanent home, having played outside the city limits in a groundshare with Bootle FC at the Berry Street Garage Stadium and at Widnes Vikings' rugby ground. The non-league club had proposed new plans for a future settlement at land off Edge Lane, causing debate within the community.
A pre-planning application was submitted last year outlining the club's plans for the Edge Lane recreation ground, also known as Rathbone Park. City of Liverpool Football Club (COLFC) planned to rejuvenate the derelict all-weather football pitch and adjoining community park into a "first-class community sporting amenity."
The proposal included an enclosed community football ground for nearly 2,000 spectators, featuring a 3G artificial grass pitch, along with associated storage, parking and access arrangements.
However, city leaders have now confirmed that a community asset transfer will not proceed due to concerns raised about the scheme, reports .
Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool's cabinet member for growth and economy, voiced the council's decision on the contentious issue involving City of Liverpool Football Club's bid to secure Rathbone Park. He explained on social media: "The council has decided not to take this forward based on officer recommendations under the Community Asset Transfer policy because of questions around deliverability, planning policy challenges, the designation of the location as a green space and highways impact. I hope that COLFC and the council can work together to look at alternatives in other parts of Liverpool."
Simultaneously, Cllr William Shortall, representing Old Swan West ward, where the park resides, expressed his relief in a Facebook post announcing his resistance to the football club's offer. He stated: "Along with many residents, I had serious issues with this bid and the proposals for a community football ground here. Along with many residents, I was concerned that the proposals would take away recreational space from the community, as well as causing transport problems locally.
"I therefore opposed the City of Liverpool Football Club's bid. I am pleased that the Council has taken the concerns that I raised along with many residents on board and have written to the football club to advise them that their bid will not be going forward and will now work with the club to identify alternative suitable sites elsewhere in the city."
In an effort to win support among locals, City of Liverpool FC communicated directly with 1,000 Old Swan residents through an open letter from the club's community division, underscoring its intent to enhance instead of detracting from the community grounds. A representative from City of Liverpool FC remarked: "We met with officers before the entire CAT process was suspended for review.
"We have used this down time to do what was requested. We have never been contacted to say the process has resumed, and that the work we have done would be considered."
The club's spokesman also expressed confidence in having resolved "every query raised" while elucidating their stance in an open letter addressed to the community.
Meanwhile, the Friends of Rathbone Park group celebrated the thwarted club bid. On Facebook, a group spokesperson shared hopes for a community consultation to understand what local people wanted to see at the site.
The group said: "We want Rathbone Park to be an example of a green space that people want to travel to and most importantly we want a diverse play area that both able-bodied and non-able bodied children can play together, as an example."
The statement also highlighted the need for Liverpool Council to collaborate with the football club in identifying "a more appropriate and suitable location". The group expressed enthusiasm for the project, describing it as "an exciting project to procure moving forward, but in a more suitable location."
Additionally, the spokesperson noted that Rathbone Park could now receive investment to transform it into a communal park and leisure facility befitting the 21st century.
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