All stand for a new stand

REIDsteel and Joseph Ash Galvanizing have scored a winning goal in a project to construct a new 1,768 capacity stand at the Gallagher Stadium.

Maidstone United football ground – known as the Gallagher Stadium – originally opened its doors in July 2012. At that time, it had a capacity of 3,000 people and it was a welcome addition to the area, as Maidstone United FC could play their first match in their home town in 24 years.

Since 2012 the Club’s fortunes improved as they were promoted through the Leagues, to the National League. League promotions came with expensive requirements however, some which dictated that the Stadium increase its capacity for supporters and fans.

A recent capacity addition came in the form of a new North Stand, constructed by REIDsteel. The new stand can house an extra 1,768 ticket holders, which brings the stadium’s total capacity up to 4,200, making it eligible for the Conference Premier.

REIDsteel worked directly with Maidstone United FC to design, draw, fabricate and erect the £850,000 structure at the club’s Gallagher Stadium – including steelwork, cladding, 500m of handrails and disabled access ramps. The architect on the project was Arete Architects and the contractor was FM Conway.

The steel-framed standing terrace has been built behind one of the goals. It consists of 11 double standing rows, formed with non-slip metal decking supported by a series of steel rakers. The stand has a 11m-wide cantilevering steel roof structure, which includes a 1m-high facia for advertising.

The structure includes 81 tonnes of steel, all fully galvanized by Joseph Ash Galvanizing.

REIDsteel designs, manufactures and erects all types of steel-framed buildings and structures nationally and internationally, including commercial premises, aircraft hangers, stadiums, bridges, process plants and industrial units and has experienced rising demand from sports clubs worldwide for stands of varying size and capacity.

Over the years, they have called on the expert services of Joseph Ash Galvanizing, to protect their steel fabrications with a variety of metal finishing treatments, predominantly galvanizing.

Because REIDsteel fabricates many huge structures, the Joseph Ash Chesterfield plant quite often treats their steel. The plant is perfect for REIDsteel projects as it is centrally located in Derbyshire near the M1, and is also the largest Joseph Ash Galvanizing site with acres of space, enabling it to handle the biggest of projects including storage before and after galvanising.

Tim Cook from REIDsteel said: “Working on the Maidstone United football ground has been an exciting project, and it’s great to see the stand in use by the club’s many fans. We were also happy to work with Joseph Ash Galvanizing on the project. We have been using their metal treatment services for many years and have always been happy with the high quality and professional service they provide.”

Steven Hopkins from Joseph Ash Galvanizing said: ”As always, it has been our pleasure to treat REIDsteel’s fabrications. We have worked with the company for several years on projects ranging from bridges and warehousing in Africa to general structures and stadiums and sports venues in the UK.”