STEVO BACK FOR STADIUM MOVE

Posted on: Thu 21 Aug 2008

A Chesterfield born footballing legend has returned home to help the Spireites move to a new fooball stadium in the Whittington Moor area of Chesterfield.

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Former Spireites goalkeeper, Alan Stevenson, who fulfilled his ambition to play for his home-town team in the seventies before moving to Burnley, is to resume his key marketing consultancy role now that the stadium has received full planning approval.

He initially started work with Chesterfield in August 2006 but a twelve month delay in the project saw him take on a similar role with Shrewsbury Town for their move last year to the New Meadow.

Now that has been completed he is able to once again bring his widely-acclaimed expertise in maximising the revenue potential that Chesterfield can expect from relocating to the new stadium.

saltergate

Saltergate - end of an era

He will be responsible for the 'end of an era' project, which will see the closure of the existing Saltergate ground, home to the Spireites for the last 137 years.

Barrie Hubbard welcomes back Alan Stevenson

This looks like being the catch of the season for Chesterfield as Alan Stevenson has a unique CV.

After his playing career ended in 1985 he was commercial manager at a number of clubs before getting heavily involved in key relocation projects.

He had a lead role in the relocation of Huddersfield Town and Coventry City, and has been consultant for the moves of Bolton Wanderers, Hull City, Widnes Rugby League Club, Doncaster Rovers and most recently Shrewsbury Town.

He also had marketing responsibility for the high-profile closure of the old Wembley Stadium.

Alan Stevenson Alan Stevenson said: "This is a dream project for me as I have gone full circle from fulfilling my original ambition to play for my home town team to returning home 36 years later to help my old club relocate and start a new era in a new stadium."

Chesterfield chairman Barrie Hubbard said: "I am delighted that Alan is rejoining us as his experience in relocating clubs is unique in the football world. The supporters can now rest assured that our move to a new stadium will be handled in a professional manner by someone who is not only the best in the business, but he happens to be a Chesterfield lad as well."

Barrie Barrie Hubbard added: "His key roles will include maximising the revenue potential for the new stadium, and launching an 'end of an era' project to commemorate the closure of the old ground."

PLANNING UPDATE:

The Spireites new home at Whittington Moor came a giant step nearer last month after Chesterfield Borough Council issued formal planning consent for the stadium development, which also includes a new Tesco retail store, plus business and other uses.

New stadium

The new development at Whittington Moor

Permission was officially granted after the Government decided it did not need to "call in" the planning application for consideration.

After further enabling work by site owner Wilson Bowden Developments, to put in road access and principle infrastructure on the site, it is expected that construction would begin early 2009 with both the new Tesco store and the 10,500 seater football stadium proceeding at the same time.

Alan Stevenson's football career

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