Plymouth City Patriots are hoping to announce a new and larger capacity venue

The fledgling British Basketball League franchise has identified a preferred option for its new home and is approaching the end of “lengthy” talks.

Plymouth City Patriots are hoping to announce a new and larger capacity venue for next season in the next "two to three weeks". The team has recently completed its debut season at the Plymouth Pavilions, confounding expectations by reaching the play-offs despite losing its first eight league matches.

The Patriots were formed from the ashes of Plymouth Raiders - one of the BBL’s founding franchises - which withdrew from the league as it was unable to pay increased rent at the Pavilions. Since its formation by local businessman Carl Heslop, managing director of Obedair Construction, the club has been looking for a new facility in the city while continuing to play at the Pavilions on a one-year deal.

Head coach and general manager Paul James, told BusinessLive the fledgling British Basketball League (BBL) franchise has identified a preferred option for its new home and is approaching the end of “lengthy” talks. Mr James said he was hopeful the team would be able to secure a space with a larger crowd capacity, after it sold out the Pavilions more than five times last year, including its last two play-off games against Leicester Riders.

The former head coach of England’s national men’s side said capacity at the new venue was among the “minor details” to be straightened out in negotiations, with the Patriots hoping to increase spectator numbers from around 1,350 to 1,600. Mr James added while there were other options open to the club there was one venue the club had really “done its homework” on.

He added: “The owner has done a lot of work on [the cost of converting the new venue to basketball operations]. There is a figure there and they are working through those figures and how that will get paid for. That’s above my station how that’s going to happen.

“There are certainly quite detailed plans about how much it’s going to cost for the seating that we need and other bits and bobs that we might need to convert to make it acceptable for the BBL. Work has been going on since we started, this isn’t something we’ve waited for until the end of the season.

“It’s really exciting what’s happening; once we've sorted a couple of minor details out I think people are going to be delighted with what we are doing.”

Reflecting on the Patriots’ debut season, Mr James said the club’s achievements would go down in BBL history as one of the “real success stories” of a franchise built from scratch. After securing the temporary stay at the Pavilions, Mr James said the new franchise had three weeks to assemble a team and make arrangements for kit and training facilities.

He said: “We were really flying by the seat of our pants in the early days. We always knew it was going to be really difficult at the start. We weren’t allowed to bring in any import players at the time, we had to wait for our licence to come through to do that, so we knew we had to have all British players.

“We knew it was going to be a painful experience initially but our goal was to get from one end of the season to the other without falling over. What we did in a very short space of time was phenomenal.”

Mr James said the success of the programme was due to "grafters" within the club refusing to accept no for an answer. “At the start of the year people were saying we shouldn’t have entered the league, it was too soon, that we weren’t going to win a single game. All of those things just drove us on to actually be a better version of ourselves," he said.

“It’s very important you have the right people within the organisation, not only on the court. We really focused on the type of player we were bringing into the club from the start."

Mr James said they had to be "totally honest" with the players about what they thought the club could achieve.

"It was kind of a ‘warts and all’ programme, outlining the worst-case scenario but also what we were trying to build. So with the players we had from the start, they laid the foundations for us to have the success we had in the end, once we were able to bring the Americans in."

He said the club was "totally honest" about its plans with its supporters, sponsors and community programmes, too. "We increased our capacity by 300 per cent with the number of people we were coaching and reaching out to. If we were going to do this, there was a value to it, so we weren’t giving away a lot of complimentary tickets; we had to actually be worth paying money to watch. We ended up selling out six or seven games by the end of the season because of what we were doing.”

Mr Heslop, a former sponsor of Plymouth Raiders, had originally planned to continue under the Raiders name but was unable to secure the transfer of the naming and branding rights from the previous owners.

Before their demise the Raiders had attracted investment from a global education provider run by Turkish businessman Enver Yücel, the owner of one of Turkey’s top Super League basketball teams, Bahcesehir College. Mr James, who was coaching the Raiders at the time, said the group had intended to make the club “one of the powerhouses of British basketball” and help it qualify for European competition.

However, the former point guard revealed infighting among the club’s board had driven the Turkish investors out, describing the situation as a “missed opportunity".

Mr James said: “The directors fell out and I think there was some jealousy about the direction the club was going. For that to happen [the investors] needed people to move aside to allow them to do that.

“Some of the directors put some hurdles up, and they decided to walk away. It’s disappointing because they did come in for the right reasons, they did want to take the club in another direction and make it one of the powerhouses of British basketball.

"That was a missed opportunity for the Raiders to actually grow. But it's all done and dusted now and in the past. What we have now is a fresh start. We have done phenomenal work on and off the court this past season and set up a great foundation for us to move forward.”

Mr James said the Patriots success as a new franchise showed there was scope to expand the BBL, announced as part of transformative plans for the British game, after the top professional division secured a multi-million pound funding deal with Miami-based investment firm 777 Partners at the end of last year.

Mr James said it was possible that up to four established clubs in the second tier National Basketball League Division One could join the BBL and be competitive within the next few years.

He added that in order for basketball to grow as a professional sport in the UK clubs needed to be in a position to own their own venues in order to have a consistent schedule of matches.

Added to increased TV coverage of matches, Mr James said the BBL had the potential to be in a position to attract Team GB international players back to the country from more lucrative leagues abroad, as well as more high profile overseas players.

Mr James said: “You look at the European leagues and most of those teams have their own facilities for a start, that helps. A lot of BBL clubs are reliant on the availability of their facility, and if you are playing in a sports hall or the Pavilions where they do other things in there, you’re dependent on what’s available for you. So you can’t get a consistent programme.

"What you want to get is Friday night basketball night or Sunday is Basketball day. And for people to know that, it needs to be spoken about on radio, it needs to be shown on TV. Until clubs get to a stage where they own their facility, so they are allowed to get more money for beer or food, merchandise, it’s going to be a struggle."

Mr James said the organisation of the league also needed to be "tidied up". He added: "We’ve had months where we’ve played seven games and then we’ve had three weeks off in a row, which doesn't make any sense. All of that needs to be tidied up for us to look like a proper professional league.”

Cheers Ivor

When Argo are away, I always look to see if there's a Raiders/Patriots game on. I've been to quite a few now and had a good time. Something different to stir your interest in sport. If they're moving to a bigger venue in the city, I can only think of the life centre - then again,why would that need converting. FFS. I don't know.

I do not think it is the Life Centre,

I am happy because Friday nights will be back

POI wrote:

When Argo are away, I always look to see if there's a Raiders/Patriots game on. I've been to quite a few now and had a good time. Something different to stir your interest in sport. If they're moving to a bigger venue in the city, I can only think of the life centre - then again,why would that need converting. FFS. I don't know.

I'm curious to know where they would play thats bigger than the pavilions for capacity as nothing is jump off the page to me as potential new homes in the Plymouth and surrounding area.. Guildhall would be too small i feel oh and that ice arena still hasn't even been drawn yet so thats out for the permanent future.

Life centre too me i cant see being permanent if they did go there as thats not designed to home 1500 for basketball games same for when the raiders played at the Mayflower all those years ago ok for a team starting up but the crowds patriots (that name still sucks bring back raiders) pull would overwhelm it.... the gym/sports hall at the brickfields again would seem like a temporary thing and im not sure that could do the capacity quoted.

I think in going to be a old warehouse, Have to watch Plymouth planning site, it will have to recieve planning.

Tgwu wrote:

I think in going to be a old warehouse, Have to watch Plymouth planning site, it will have to recieve planning.

Was thinking the same, Tg. Maybe an old warehouse or empty factory with a large floor space.

POI wrote:

Tgwu wrote:

I think in going to be a old warehouse, Have to watch Plymouth planning site, it will have to recieve planning.

Was thinking the same, Tg. Maybe an old warehouse or empty factory with a large floor space.

that would take awhile to convert and make safe and suitable for hosting basketball so if that is indeed the case they wold have had something lined up months ago and starting very soon to be ready for september.

or the old odeon cinema. The imposing brick building had a white stone tower feature in the central section above the entrance. Seating inside the auditorium was provided for 1,462 in the stalls and 790 in the circle.

Three big warehouses empty along Plymouth Road Plympton. One for Bargain Homes,  The old Home Maker to be pull down and that leaves the carpet warehouse. The Bargain Homes one would be the best of the three.

Tgwu wrote:

Three big warehouses empty along Plymouth Road Plympton. One for Bargain Homes,  The old Home Maker to be pull down and that leaves the carpet warehouse. The Bargain Homes one would be the best of the three.

would still need to renovated quite a bit before they could make it a home. Not a 2 week job for what they would need to do more months. For one, warehouses can be like saunas so air con is a must

Angry wrote:

Tgwu wrote:

Three big warehouses empty along Plymouth Road Plympton. One for Bargain Homes,  The old Home Maker to be pull down and that leaves the carpet warehouse. The Bargain Homes one would be the best of the three.

would still need to renovated quite a bit before they could make it a home. Not a 2 week job  for what they would need to do more months. For one, warehouses can be like saunas so air con is a must

Just build a box within a box, not that difficult although like everything very costly these days, not sure what they turn over but I'm sure they would need outside investment whatever they did, new court, lighting/re-wire, seating all adds up.

Earwegoagain wrote:

Angry wrote:

Tgwu wrote:

Three big warehouses empty along Plymouth Road Plympton. One for Bargain Homes,  The old Home Maker to be pull down and that leaves the carpet warehouse. The Bargain Homes one would be the best of the three.

would still need to renovated quite a bit before they could make it a home. Not a 2 week job  for what they would need to do more months. For one, warehouses can be like saunas so air con is a must

Just build a box within a box, not that difficult although like everything very costly these days, not sure what they turn over but I'm sure they would need outside investment whatever they did, new court, lighting/re-wire, seating all adds up.

true and lets not forget on top of that they will have tidy it up remove any and all asbestos make suitable to put in bleachers for fans to sit in, fit in new toilets food outlets merch shop and build dressing rooms and conference ones for visiting teams officials and bbl and then find some where for commentators to sit and where tv cameras could go as alot of their games are broadcast live.

If they can do it im sure over time they will recoup the money and more and possible make it into a profitable arena on game days and if they rent i out for other ventures,

Angry wrote:

Earwegoagain wrote:

Angry wrote:

Tgwu wrote:

Three big warehouses empty along Plymouth Road Plympton. One for Bargain Homes,  The old Home Maker to be pull down and that leaves the carpet warehouse. The Bargain Homes one would be the best of the three.

would still need to renovated quite a bit before they could make it a home. Not a 2 week job  for what they would need to do more months. For one, warehouses can be like saunas so air con is a must

Just build a box within a box, not that difficult although like everything very costly these days, not sure what they turn over but I'm sure they would need outside investment whatever they did, new court, lighting/re-wire, seating all adds up.

true and lets not forget on top of that they will have tidy it up remove any and all asbestos make suitable to put in bleachers for fans to sit in, fit in new toilets food outlets merch shop and build dressing rooms and conference ones for visiting teams officials and bbl and then find some where for commentators to sit and where tv cameras could go as alot of their games are broadcast live.

If they can do it im sure over time they will recoup the money and more and possible make it into a profitable arena on game days and if they rent i out for other ventures,

He added: “The owner has done a lot of work on [the cost of converting the new venue to basketball operations]. There is a figure there and they are working through those figures and how that will get paid for. That’s above my station how that’s going to happen.

“There are certainly quite detailed plans about how much it’s going to cost for the seating that we need and other bits and bobs that we might need to convert to make it acceptable for the BBL. Work has been going on since we started, this isn’t something we’ve waited for until the end of the season.

“It’s really exciting what’s happening; once we've sorted a couple of minor details out I think people are going to be delighted with what we are doing.”

They are on the ball

Tgwu wrote:

Angry wrote:

Earwegoagain wrote:

Angry wrote:

Tgwu wrote:

Three big warehouses empty along Plymouth Road Plympton. One for Bargain Homes,  The old Home Maker to be pull down and that leaves the carpet warehouse. The Bargain Homes one would be the best of the three.

would still need to renovated quite a bit before they could make it a home. Not a 2 week job  for what they would need to do more months. For one, warehouses can be like saunas so air con is a must

Just build a box within a box, not that difficult although like everything very costly these days, not sure what they turn over but I'm sure they would need outside investment whatever they did, new court, lighting/re-wire, seating all adds up.

true and lets not forget on top of that they will have tidy it up remove any and all asbestos make suitable to put in bleachers for fans to sit in, fit in new toilets food outlets merch shop and build dressing rooms and conference ones for visiting teams officials and bbl and then find some where for commentators to sit and where tv cameras could go as alot of their games are broadcast live.

If they can do it im sure over time they will recoup the money and more and possible make it into a profitable arena on game days and if they rent i out for other ventures,

He added: “The owner has done a lot of work on [the cost of converting the new venue to basketball operations]. There is a figure there and they are working through those figures and how that will get paid for. That’s above my station how that’s going to happen.

“There are certainly quite detailed plans about how much it’s going to cost for the seating that we need and other bits and bobs that we might need to convert to make it acceptable for the BBL. Work has been going on since we started, this isn’t something we’ve waited for until the end of the season.

“It’s really exciting what’s happening; once we've sorted a couple of minor details out I think people are going to be delighted with what we are doing.”

They are on the ball

thats good to hear refreshing someone is on the ball in PLymouth when it comes to future planning.

Plymouth City Patriots will face some notable changes from next season after the BBL confirmed a change in format to the BBL season which will see more matches in the 2022/23 campaign. The new season will begin in September with BBL Championship action.

Each team will now face each other four times (two home, two away), playing 36 games across a 28-week league season. Basketball fans will be able to watch weekly action via both official broadcast partner Sky Sports and the BBL player.

The BBL Cup competition will now be a knock-out competition featuring all 10 BBL teams. Those teams who placed first to sixth in the 2021-22 league season will receive a bye into the quarter-finals with seeds one to four receiving a guaranteed home date in the last eight.

As the Patriots finished in eighth place, they will therefore not be one of the seeded teams. The semi-finals will be an open draw. All rounds will be one-legged ties, as teams battle it out to make the final at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena for the final which takes place on Sunday, January. 29.

The BBL Trophy will retain the same 16-team knockout bracket format, with the 10 BBL teams joining six invited non-BBL teams, who are to be announced in due course. Those who made the Trophy quarter finals in the 2021-22 season will receive a guaranteed home tie in the first round of the 2022-23 Trophy, with an open draw determining ties and seeding. All rounds will be one-legged ties.

That is good news for the Patriots, who beat Wales Basketball to reach the quarter-finals last season, where they were then beaten by Cheshire. The BBL Play-offs will retain the same format, with the top eight teams in the BBL Championship standings advancing to the end of season play-offs.

The BBL’s Chief Operating Officer, Andy Webb, said: “We’re really excited to be announcing the new format for the 2022-23 season. The changes will help fans stay across all of the action taking place in the BBL Championship, Cup and Trophy, with each competition given precedence across dedicated weekends throughout the season.

“We’re looking forward to finalising and announcing the full fixture calendar to supporters in the coming weeks as preparations for another thrilling season of action continue.”

Fixtures for next season will be revealed in full later this summer.

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PL

means nothing if they dont get a move on and find a new home or cut a deal with the reluctant one to continue using he crapshack

The final announcement of seven signings by the Plymouth City Patriots this week, will bring joy to Patriots fans across Plymouth and indeed basketball fans across the country. Elvisi Dusha, Albanian international and British Basketball League (BBL) veteran, will be returning to Plymouth for his second season with the Patriots, making it an impressive decade of basketball in the BBL.

Also in the seven is and his second season with your Plymouth City Patriots big man Cam King

Although nothing has been confirmed, it looks as though the Patriots will be returning to the Pavilions for their home games with no update yet on a new venue. It had been hoped that the club would have moved and be in their new premises by the start of October, but that has not happened. Instead, they will continue to play at the Pavilions until they are in a position to move to their new home.

Tgwu wrote:

Although nothing has been confirmed, it looks as though the Patriots will be returning to the Pavilions for their home games with no update yet on a new venue. It had been hoped that the club would have moved and be in their new premises by the start of October, but that has not happened. Instead, they will continue to play at the Pavilions until they are in a position to move to their new home.

sensible. If they can stay there till wherever they are moving into is good to go at least they can still play in front of a full crowd at a semi half decent venue.

Did we ever find out where the Raiders/Patriots or whatever they're called now, moved to?

Cheesy-Chips wrote:

Did we ever find out where the Raiders/Patriots  or whatever they're called now, moved to?

they will be using pavillions for the start of their new season as for the new home no no idea where that is yet. Last i heared they where doing up an abandoned warehouse into an arena.