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SMRE update - Change is on its way

SMRE update - Change is on its wayWe’d like to update supporters on the developments in the SMRE bar as the project draws to a conclusion with the planned opening date of Saturday 8th September.



At the end of last season work commenced on turning the area under the St. Mary’s Road End terrace into a multi-functional community space using funding from Power to Change. The primary work is due to be completed by the start of September with the planned opening date being Saturday 8th September for our home fixture against Southport. There will in all likelihood be other adaptations needed thereafter to customise the spaces.

On match days the area will continue to be a place where fans can congregate to enjoy a pint or two, but during the rest of the week it will be available for use for the benefit of our local community in Moston and across North Manchester. As part of the club’s extensive community programme it will be available to hire by local community groups for a range of activities that are likely to include weight training, fitness classes, boxing, youth clubs, homework clubs, community group meetings, tea parties and sports injury clinics.

FC United is the largest community organisation in the area and opening up the space under the SMRE for community use will make this corner of Manchester a stronger and better place to live and generate additional revenue for the club. The inconvenience of not being able to enjoy a drink under the SMRE for the first four home games of the season will be a small price to pay for what is a very important development for our football club and the local area.

The redevelopment has been overseen by FC United members Pete Shaw, Dave Payne, John Bentley, Brian Morris and Graham Byrne, further demonstrating the wealth of knowledge, skills and experience that exist within the club’s membership. CityBuild of Manchester was selected as contractors to carry out the work. A range of other ancillary works have already been undertaken by FC United volunteers and these will continue even after the opening.

The first thing you will notice, as you walk around the ground, is that there are two new entrances and windows leading out of the back of the SMRE stand into the car park. These entrance/exit doors will not routinely be opened on matchday to afford access. The existing large wooden gates doors at each end of the stand will remain and will ensure the space will be self-contained, meaning that the space can be accessed without having to open the main parts of the stadium for access and use.

High standards of thermal insulation have been incorporated into the floor, walls and ceilings of the facilities. New light fittings have been installed that brightens up the place, together with air-condition units to ensure the space maintains a constant temperature when in use.

The major improvement is the concreting of the floor throughout, and in order to comply with fire regulations, special intumescent paint has been used on the open beams. A new block of toilets (Gents and Ladies) has been constructed at the North Stand End of the SMRE. Additionally, two wheelchair accessible toilets have also been provided.

The overall space covering a total area of 550sqm has essentially been divided into four sections; two small concourse spaces, each affording access to the two function/bar spaces. As you enter from the Main Stand End, there is a space to the left which will eventually be filled with an additional block of toilets, as and when we have the funds available to do so. All below ground drainage works have been fitted in preparation. You’ll then go through some large double doors into the main part of the space. You’ll see that this large space can be then partitioned off into two separate rooms, the two sets of doors and windows allow for two separate community activities to take place the same time. At the far end, you’ll again go through some further large double doors to access the aforementioned toilet block. You will then be able to walk through into the North Stand corner of the ground.

Once all the fixtures and fittings have been installed, the next stage is to start to kit it out. Naturally as this is a multi-functional space most of the furniture will need to be portable. Under the eaves of the stand above, there will be a series of portable bars to service the thirsty match day supporters. We are also looking into having a portable stage that can be used on a match day for live bands performing at ‘Course You Can Malcolm’ and but can also be used for community performance on non-match days.

We’ve a few weeks to go to be ready for 8th September, so there’s still a lot to get finished. As it is still a ‘building site’ there will be no access to view to space before the grand opening, with the contractors retaining control of access until completion. Work to continually improve and develop the area will be ongoing, and we’ll need to continue to acquire the necessary equipment for community and sports use.

The SMRE Bar will remain closed for the Leamington home match on Saturday 25th August and for the Bradford PA match on Sunday 2nd September. For these matches supporters will be able to access the Main Stand Function Room, the Real Ale bar under the Main Stand and the two bars in view of the pitch located between the Main Stand and SMRE and also in the North Stand.








First Posted ~ 15:28 Fri 17 Aug 2018
News ID ~ 7995
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021