‘I’m laying down foundations for the future of this club’

Hemel Hempstead Town FC chairman Dave Boggins, right, with manager Dean Brennan. Picture (c) Darren Kelly

Last week, the Gazette published an artist’s impression of the proposed new stand and Mr Boggins believes that this upgrade of the facilities at Vauxhall Road will lead to an exciting era at the club.

The long-standing chairman has pledged a large investment in the stand along with club shirt sponsors Underwoods Solicitors, with the total cost expected to be in the region of £750,000.

The club has also applied for a grant from the FA Stadium Improvement Fund which could provide an additional £250,000 towards the total cost – but it could take up to two months for the club to be informed of the FA’s decision.

Mr Boggins, though, is confident that the proposals will come into fruition in the not too distant future.

“This is what we need to do to move forward and it is the future of the club,” said the Tudors chairman. “Our changing rooms are too small at the moment and we need to improve our facilities in general.

“We have got interest from a number of individuals and businesses and I am still talking to other potential investors to help raise the money that we need.”

Mr Boggins has been at the helm at Vauxhall Road for many years, and he is relishing the opportunity to take the club to the next level.

“I’ve signed the management team on for another four years, and I’m really trying to lay down the foundations for the club,” he said. “I want to be part of the future.

“The new development will be an upgrade on the changing rooms and the facilities in general,” he added.

“Attendances are going through the roof at the moment, which is great, and shows that there is a big interest in the club from the town.

“I believe that this will only continue to get better so we need to be able to provide better facilities for the increased demand.

“The club needs to be a community venue because it has to be open every day of the week and it has to be an asset for the community.

“That is what we are trying to achieve – it is difficult but we have a plan and we believe that it will come to fruition.”

As well as providing a stadium for the community to be proud of, Mr Boggins believes that the upgraded facilities will open up new opportunities for the club in footballing terms.

“We could have Arsenal or Chelsea down here for friendlies because the manager has contacts at these teams,” he said. “But we can’t bring them to the club at the moment when the dressing rooms we have are not up to the right standard,”

“These plans will really take us forward as a club.”