Moseley RFC planning for superior rebuild at Billesley Common
Having stood astride the summit of Mount English Rugby, Moseley-folk have a certain flair for topographical-related metaphors.
Thirty-five years ago they were the kings of the domestic game, British Lions and internationals of all colours rolled down their slopes as frequently as Dairy Milk bars left Cadbury’s production line.
From their lofty vantage point they looked down not just on Birmingham but across the country with a gaze cast as far as Gloucester, Leicester and Bath. There was certainly nothing obscuring their view in Worcester.
The scenery is rather different these days. Many people in the Second City can’t see beyond Sixways and those at Billesley Common look around them not from the oval ball equivalent of Scafell Pike but from a peak similar in size to The Wrekin. A sporting hillock, if you will.
However, memories of their elevated status remain at the forefront of their consciousness and every week, every day even, there is talk about returning to the top of the game.
Which is why events in a council committee room this morning are of such interest.
Of the many items on the planning agenda the one referenced 2009/04190/pa stands out because it represents another cairn in the club’s dogged ascent back up the English game.
“Obtaining consent and then getting these permanent stand facilities erected and then functioning will be the biggest challenge that we have faced so far in our revival and we have faced some massive ones since we started in 2002,” says director Alan Adam.
“Each time we climb one mountain, we seem to find another bigger one behind it.”
Ah the new stand, that mythical staging post along Moseley’s arduous journey, for so long shrouded in low-hanging mist but now much more than just a dream. If things go the way they ought this morning, Adam and his colleagues’ vision will move steadily into view.
The expectation is the committee will agree with their officers’ recommendation of approval. Many a slip ‘twixt foothills and summit and all that and a site visit notwithstanding, there is cautious optimism.
And if the show of hands goes their way Moseley will have permission to build a state of the art, 5,000 seat facility, like the one at Exeter’s Sandy Park.
As well as more red and black seats than one can count there will also be ten changing rooms, 22 hospitality boxes and additional function rooms. The ground’s capacity will also rise from the nominal 1,000 to 7,500.
The club estimate it will create around 100 jobs to an area in need of opportunities. Not surprisingly objections have been few and far between. Only six people have expressed their concern set against 400 letters of support.
But as Adam is keen to point out, permission is one thing, engaging Persimmon – or any other of the many reputable building companies – entirely another.
The next mountain they must climb is finding the money to build the thing. A mere matter of £3 million plus.
