As we were stood in the foyer afterwards, two seperate groups of Branksome residents came over and apologised for "that woman" (their words) and that we should look at a slander case. They were very friendly and just asked some simple, non-political or agenda questions, and seemed to be happy with our answers. They all seemed very impressed with our enthusiasm and PRIDE IN POOLE. I think "that lady" did herself and their arguement a lot of damage :-) Full marks to the Chief Exec of Poole Council for his comments and the way he and the other official conducted themselves. Floreat Dolphins

You might have grown up an Oxford fan, but instead the Rec turned you into a Swindon fan............I rest my case ;D

In all seriousness, she has been digging around for bottles all these years (I think she said since the sixteen hundreds!!) and she is still here.

I wish I had the mic and could have asked the lady in purple, when was the last time SHE used the Rec for recreational purposes? N I M B Y......She even said it at the end

I was stood with sterte when the Rec supporters approached us. I was asked the same question twice tonight, politely - WHY DO POOLE TOWN HAVE TO MOVE? It may be that nobody has made it clear what our motives are for the move. When I explained, enclosing the ground was necessary for the next level, this was not possible at Tatnum, they seemed understanding that we are not trying to move just for fun........and why we need a 2m wall!

Lots of valid comments above. Well done to Chris Reeves and the other Directors who have clearly put a lot of hard work in. The meeting was pretty much as I expected. Sounds like Branksome residents would be much happier with a decent bus service!

There are some valid concerns - of which parking will always be there - but that is a problem whether Poole locate there or not. There were very few people under 40 there which said a lot - there seemed to be no recognition of the benefits of the Poole proposal for the younger generation. I bet many of the protestors to our ground proposal are the same people complaining about the "youth of today" and all the anti-social behaviour. There was a clear lack of vision from the opposers.

It was only to be expected that at some point someone would throw the "football hooligan" card at us. I don't know if anyone else noticed but the first speaker - Jacqui Wilson - also intimated this by suggesting just because no-one had ever complained in the 44 years Chris referred to - this was because the British don't like to complain! Amazing logic.

I know the Board has put a huge amount of work in but in many ways I hope the ground at Bransome is rejected as these proposers don't deserve any improvements given their attitude. Let them keep their precious land - land they admit to being waterlogged and contaminated with a dlipaidated eyesore as the centrepiece!

We know Poole has a great following of visionaries and that we will be successful with the best location for us in the end.

In response the the small numbers of banners at last nights meeting stating "Don't rec the rec" my reply to that is

"THE REC IS A WRECK"

Mis-informed and hysterical, which now seems to have turned into a matter of honour. Thou shalt not improve the Rec, if you do we will have nothing to whinge about. Chris presented a very strong case for the project and if the protesters can't see the benefit to the community then it can only be pure obstinacy.

I'm not sure I want to be anywhere near people with such a blinkered vision. I am worried this move might affect the very pleasant atmosphere we currently enjoy. We should think about what we have at the moment. Is Branksome worth it?

Sounds like it went pretty well for us, so thanks to all those able to attend and do their bit for the town (that's town in both senses!).

Thanks for the link stcf, I've posted another comment.
I spent my childhood in and around the rec too but I suspect I'm a bit older than you.
Why Swindon, by the way? Apologies if you've already told us or don't wish to.

As for Canford swanagedolphin, I thought there were reasons why that's never going to be an option but I don't know what they are.

Me as well. Notice that nja thinks that nimby is slanderous!!

Have to agree with all the comments on here so far regarding last night's meeting.

Delighted at turn out of Poole Town supporters. Really made you proud to be part of such a Club.

I think the Club will be pretty pleased with the way the meeting went.

The final comment from the opposition saying that the Poole Town supporters had behaved disgracefully and that this is what residents could expect was nothing short of scandalous. To say that if we behaved like that at a meeting what would we be like at a football stadium just added to the blunder. You could visibly see the anti brigade's heads go down when she said it - it was perhaps the biggest own goal they could have made and for it to come from one of their selected' representatives on the stage just made it even worse. I was there with my wife, 4 year old son, mum, step-dad and uncle and I personally took offence at her comments. It was not, and will not, be lost on the Council either.

Some of the other rubbish trotted out by the anti brigade just showed how desperate they are.

- Comparing us to Everton (as BH12 mentioned above) was laughable. But some of these people do GENUINELY believe we plan to build Old Trafford! Because that's what they see on the TV.

- There was some ridiculous attempts to discredit the Directors of the Club. Questioning the finances of the Football Club was a major mistake - it's probably one of very few that operates totally in the black.

- Asking how many of the Directors live within one mile of Branksome Rec?? IRRELEVANT!!!!! What the hell has that got to do with anything???!!! I was born and bred in Poole but live in Verwood now - does that mean I can't support the Club??? I'm afraid they have picked on the wrong people by having a go at the Directors - a more loyal, passionate and honest group you will not find.

- Going to great lengths to tell us all how THEY could apply for lottery funding and do everything that the Club plans to do themselves? Yeah??? So why haven't they done it then?? Why have they sat by and watched the Rec (Wreck?) descend to the slum it is for the last 30 odd years then? This point brilliantly put down by Rob Bayston.

- Chris repeated at least THREE times that the Poole Town average gate is 206. That's a fact. Despite that, Mr Eades cleverly chipped in with "Yes - but against Wimborne you could possibly get 500!" - Yes Mr Eades, it's an AVERAGE!!!! And sometimes we get less than 100. That's how averages work................

And on and on it went.

Pretty positive outcome for the Club I believe................

;DJust to add my dear mum living in Gwynne Road was a touch gutted when I told her today that the meeting was last night, she thought it was next week. I think she would have been down there and bought a Poole Town hat, and yes she has seen the odd game at the Tatnum

One of the dissenters, turned up on the doorstep one time, bringing up the problem of parking and dear mother suggested Heatherlands Infants School, similar arrangement to what we have now, upon which the dissenter brought up the subject of paedophiles infiltrating the school. Hello, schools full of kids are not open at weekends or evenings.

That's the sort of people we are dealing with folks. I kid you not

I have nephews and a niece that live in Branksome, they will not go to the Rec any more as it is not a place to be at night.

I have just e-mailed John McBride and Clive Smith at Poole Council to thank them for the way they conducted themselves on Friday night. :-)

All the back page news here is about Sainsbury's buying the Shrimps' (Morecambe) ground for millions and them moving to a new stadium with the full support of the local council! Quite soon too!
I can remember when the Dolphins were higher up in the football world than the Shrimps in the days when we were in the SPL and they in the NPL Div 1!
If anyone bought Tatnam we'd be out on our ears1
The morecambedolphin is pleased and I'm dead jealous but our day will come!

In terms of what next the leader of the council mentioned that if the club submit an application then there will be 4 planning meetings before a vote is held by the council. I suppose realistically we are looking at the autumn for a vote?