Bacup Borough Football Club have appointed a Community Officer in order to bring the club more actively involved with the Community in general.

The role of community officer will not to be just focussed on football activities although this will be a prominent part, however Sport for all will play a prominent part both within our own Brian Boys West View Stadium and in addition in various Schools throughout the area.

The club are pleased to announce that Colin Mason who is a UEFA B Qualified Coach will head this history making Bacup Borough Football Club venture, never before have the club, in their three century existence, have they presented a Club Community Officer.

Club Manager Brent Peters said “For all our plans to come to fruition of which all include Community participation, then it was important that we bring on board a Community Officer, this would be a vastly experienced person that can deliver the ethos of Bacup Borough Football Club into Schools and various other Youth Organisations. Peters continued “ Colin Mason is a top well respected person in this field who is not just a Football Coach but Colin is also well qualified to present various Sporting or Educational projects for the non Football related pupil, Peters said “ I am really excited by this appointment, like with any appointment, everyone strives for the best, well Bacup Borough Football Club have certainly got the best in Colin who will receive every help and backing from us“

One of Colin’s first ventures will be to oversee the Bacup Borough Football Club Holiday Course for 6-11 year olds between the 15th and 19th of February inclusive.

For further details Telephone 01706 878655

BACUP Borough boss Brent Peters said there is "no chance" of his side's match being on at the weekend. There was a slight thaw amid the big chill this week but Borough's West View pitch is still covered in deep snow.

And even if the thaw continues the pitch will be too saturated to contemplate playing. Peters said: "We will not play at the weekend. The snow on the pitch is nearly up to the top of my wellies.

"There needs to be some serious thaw and I do not think we will be playing here for about three weeks."

Bacup Borough have started the New Year by signing two new players.

Firstly Brent Peters acquired the services of Steven Dryden (Right).

Steve is currently unattached but last season was at Ramsbottom United.

Previous clubs include 2007-2008  Salford City, 2004-2007  Ramsbottom United, 2003/04 Ashton Town and spells at Atherton LR, Radcliffe Borough, Salford City and Cheadle Town.

Together with Steve Peters has signed striker Christopher Ogunyode (Left) from Nelson to bolster the current playing squad.

Brent Peters is extremley pleased with his two new additions and believes they will both improve the current playing squad.

And with the recent wet spell then replaced by sleet and snow, clubs have been particularly hard hit. Few more so than Bacup Borough, who are approaching the New Year with a horrendous fixture backlog but also with optimism as they strive to secure their future at West View.

The club will meet with Rossendale Council in January to discuss and hopefully agree on Borough – who were formed in the late 1800s - being granted a 99-year tenure at their West View Ground.

And Bacup boss Brent Peters is keen to stress how important the outcome of the meeting is to the club’s future. Going into the New Year fixtures, Borough still have 27 league matches to play. And they are keen to replace their turf pitch with a third-generation artificial surface.

Peters said: "The outcome of this meeting is vital to the club’s future. The town has already lost its public swimming pool and is currently on the verge of losing Bacup Leisure Hall and this is important for the club’s long term future. The club could be a community facility to be proud if the council go along with the club’s proposals."

Peters explained: "When I walked into the football club in 1997 the club was on the verge of expulsion. It had been given an ultimatum by the national football authorities that if the stadium, which includes the playing surface, was not brought up to the required standard, then the club would lose its status."

Peters added: "Since then there has been a lot of hard work both on and off the pitch and the ground has gained the necessary grading recognition. "This has been achieved by a lot of hard work and dedication from people close to the club and from the community in general. "But sadly due to political madness with the various parties since 1997, the progression has come to a standstill and a costly standstill at that."

Peters added: "Initially we were told that the football club could purchase the ground only for the goalposts to be moved by a newly-elected political party. Then we discussed a longer lease which was agreed only for the goalposts to be moved again and so it continues to go on but at a severe cost to the football club."

Peters explained: "Bacup is the highest situated town in East Lancashire, some 835 feet above sea level. And our West View ground is situated another two hundred feet above that on a hill side. There is a lot of rain in Bacup and no matter how well our drains are working it is inevitable that we suffer most in terms of getting our fixtures played because of the geography."

Peters added: "Going into the New Year we will have only played nine games on our ground since August. So what is the answer?"

Peters said: "The answer and the future for Bacup Borough Football Club is to replace the grass playing surface with a FIFA approved third-generation playing surface, a mixture of grass and fibre. We will then be able to open up the facilities for community use."

Peters explained: "In addition we have plans for a long standing memorial to Sophie Lancaster. This will be a new main cantilever stand that would be named the Sophie Lancaster Stand.

"There would also be new changing facilities and a community use sports rehabilitation and injury unit." Peters added: "The plans have been submitted and it is our aim not only to secure the long term future of Bacup Borough Football Club but also to give them a community facility they can utilise and be proud of."

Peters added: "There are funding streams out there to make this come to fruition but only if the council are prepared to give the maximum lease term required because West View is a leasehold facility."

Peters explained: "Currently there is a twenty-five year lease on the table but that is nowhere near enough to obtain the necessary funding. "Another vital point to consider is that a grass surface would not be practical and would not stand up to community use. A third generation surface would be the answer.

"This can only be achieved by the council providing the maximum term for leasehold facilities to obtain the funding. "Should the council fail on this proposal then Bacup Borough Football Club could end up in the same situation as the Bacup's Maden Baths – finished.

Source: Rossendale Free Press

With Christmas drawing ever nearer why not show you allegiance to Bacup Borough by purchasing a replica shirt or even give some training gear as a gift.

Bacup Borough have teamed up with Surridge Sports to allow anyone to purchase replica official Bacup Borough merchandise.

We have a wide selection of shirts home and away, goalkeeper jersey's, shorts, socks, training equipment including tracksuits, polo shirts, coach jackets, waterproofs and even a hold all to keep them all in.

This is a fantastic opportunity to support your local club and also own some high quality sports equipment. Click here to enter the shop or alternatively use the link on the left of the page.