IT was a home win for Monmouth Town Football Club as their plans for a 250-seater covered terrace on the sportsground were recommended for approval at Monday’s town council planning committee meeting (8th April).

The Kingfishers were relegated from Division 1 of the Welsh League last year as they were unable to offer seating for supporters and visitors, and did not qualify according to Welsh FA rules.

The plans (DM/2019/00244) are to erect a 250 seated stand with hard standing paths and dug outs on opposite side of the pitch that the reserves normally play on. The first squad will give over the main pitch solely for the use of the rugby club to be able to provide the much-needed seating facility on the road at the other end of the sports ground adjacent to the tennis courts.

Town councillors agreed that they were happy with the plans provided the stand uses colours that blend into the background.

Councillor Sue White said that the town were “lucky to have so much sporting activity in the town” and it was important to accommodate supporters in all weathers.

Chairman of the footballers Brian Bond said that they have spoken to all of the sports groups using the sportsground and have the backing of them all, including the tennis club who have said yes in principle.

He confirmed to the Beacon that the dominant colour would be green with black wire shutters for the front and sides to stop the seats being vandalised.

“I want to see the team play in the Welsh Premiership and we need to have a facility to progress that high,” he added.

Between 70 and 80 per cent of the funding would come from the Welsh FA, Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) have agreed some funding and the club will look to fundraise around £5-6k, with some extra for the shuttering.

The stand would have a concrete base, but nothing that “could not be dug up at a later date” added Brian. The plans will now go before Monmouthshire County Council.