| Mellish RFC are moving from Podder Lane to a new complex on Mapperley Plains in the biggest development in Nottinghamshire Rugby History. An agreement has been reached with the city builders, Stanton Homes, to move to a 17 acre ground half a mile from Podder Lane. Apart from the new site, Standens are providing Mellish with a specially built clubhouse and changing rooms complex, four pitches, match floodlighting, a car park and a cricket square.
Although there will be no cash transaction to Mellish, the scheme is easily the biggest ever in local rugby. The previous biggest was Nottingham's £105,000 new clubhouse and squash courts at Beeston 6 years ago to mark the Green & Whites' Centenary.
Other major local rubgy developments in the last few years have seen Moderns, Paviors and Mansfield all acquire new grounds - but on a more modest basis - while Mellish themselves have spent £55,000 on improving Podder Lane facilities in recent times. |
| Mellish RFC's Financial controller John Saxton said "It is a general boost to the club, while we have been financially stable it means we now have high quality facilities, much improved access from the main road and more pitches. We were very keen to expand our our playing area because of the pressure on pitches caused by our junior section"
To the right is an ariel view of Mellish's new Mapperly Plains home. (Click to enlarge) |
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| "We have put a lot of work in to our Junior Rugby but at times we have been limited by over use of the pitches at podder lane.
This deal ensures continuity of rugby at Mellish into the next Century"
Mellish, who had been based at Podder Lane since 1948, celebrated there Golden Jubilee in 1981 by winning the double of John Player Pennant Championship and Notts Cup. |
