Our https://ncfg.uk site was heavily used during our campaign to save Newbury Football Ground and gradually filled up with lots of text! Now that we are in a happier place regarding Faraday Road, the web site has been trimmed down and so you can find the old articles here… (in no particular order).
From the bottom of the home page:
Newbury Football Ground is an Asset of Community Value and playing sport is good for you.
West Berkshire Council agrees, but it also wanted to demolish the ground until May 2023.
Read More
We formed NCFG as a Community Interest Company (CIC) to organise our campaign in April 2016.
7000+ people agreed and signed our petition!
Read More
We want to develop a better football ground and increase its community use.
We not only want to save NFG; we also want more all-weather facilities, so please complete our survey below.
Read More
About Newbury FC
Newbury has a long history of local football, played in the town’s Victoria district, stretching back to 1887 when its first team was officially formed. Newbury Football Ground, the only one in Newbury, moved a short distance to its current site in 1963 and has been used by all ages across the generations. The clubhouse at the “town ground” has been regularly used by the community for social gatherings and club meetings for over 50 years.
Following the demise of Newbury Town FC in 1995 due to financial difficulties and their successors AFC Newbury (not linked to the Boys & Girls club) in similar circumstances 10 years later, the empty ground was running into disrepair. In 2006 local side The Old London Apprentice FC took over the ground in 2007/8 by signing a 10 year lease. They renamed to Newbury FC and in 2007/08 they won promotion to Division 1 East of the Hellenic League. They currently play in the Thames Valley Premier League.
Chairman and experienced groundsman Keith Moss has won three groundsman awards and in 2016 came runner up in the Berks & Bucks FA competition. The county FA has also recently highly praised the quality of the pitch at Newbury Football Ground as being one off the top grounds for pitch quality in the region.
Notable former players:
Proof that Newbury plays an important role in the national game, both from developing future talent and as a vehicle for existing talent to play and manage can be seen in the list of notable former players – Theo Walcott and Charlie Austin played for the AFC Newbury youth sides. Other famous players include Brendan Rodgers, Steve Kean, Brett Angell, Darren Angell, Martin Hicks, Steve Richardson, Peter Rhodes-Brown, Mike Masters, Stuart Beavon, Mark McGhee and Ian Maidment.
Football League History at Newbury Football Ground
•1952-53 Joined Metropolitan & District League
•1959-60 League changed name to Metropolitan League
•1962-63 Joined Hellenic League Premier Division
•1972-73 Relegated to Division One
•1973-74 Promoted to Premier Division
•1977-78 Hellenic League runner-up
•1978-79 Hellenic League Champions
•1980-81 Hellenic League Champions (2nd time)
•1982-83 Athenian League Champions
•1983-84 Joined Isthmian League Division Two
•1984-85 Joined Division Two South on re-organisation
•1991-92 Joined Division Two on re-organisation
•1993-94 Isthmian League Division Two Champions
•1995 Relegated to Division Two; Newbury Town disbanded
•1996-97 AFC Newbury Wessex League runners-up & League Cup winners
•2004-05 AFC Newbury reached 3rd qualifying round of FA Cup & FA Vase quarter finalists
•2006 AFC Newbury senior side disbanded, but youth club continued to flourish
About AFC Newbury
AFC Newbury was formed in 1996 from the resources of three local clubs – Ecchinswell (founded 1906), Shaw Boys & Belles Juniors (established in 1972) and Wickham’s U17 Youth Team.
AFC Newbury Boys & Girls, which incorporates AFC Newbury Colts, is a community-focused youth football club providing organised football training and team match play for over 300 children from Newbury and its surrounding towns and villages from the ages of 6 to 18.
The Club states that “We passionately believe football, like all sport, inspires young people and provides a focus for personal and physical development from early years into adulthood. We’ve seen first-hand how sport can turn lives around”.
Run by a dedicated team of unpaid volunteer committee members, managers, coaches and parent helpers, their aim is to provide football for all, irrespective of race, religion, creed, ethnicity or ability, in a fun, friendly and safe setting to build skills, team spirit and self-esteem. They are committed to creating and preserving a positive environment for children to play the best football they can.
The Club is affiliated to the Berks & Bucks FA who awarded them its FA Charter Standard in 2003. This Charter Standard scheme sets standards of coaching, administration and child protection for football clubs working with young people. Their coaches and managers first undertake the FA Level 1 Coaching qualification, which includes emergency aid and safeguarding children elements, and are security checked (CRC – Criminal Records Check). Many coaches are licensed and take higher qualifications to improve their skills at delivering quality football training. AFC Newbury Boys & Girls also support the FA’s Respect programme which advocates mutual respect between players, officials, coaches and spectators.
The club’s squads currently compete in the Reading & West Berkshire League, the South Chiltern Minor League (both Reading & Newbury area), the Peter Houseman Youth League (Basingstoke, Andover, Newbury & Reading area) and the North Wilts Youth Football League (Swindon and west of Newbury).
England and Southampton forward Theo Walcott started his football career at AFC Newbury.
About Newbury Women FC
Newbury Women (formerly Ladies) FC was formed in the season 2003/4 and is run entirely by volunteers providing high quality coaching and football. The initial group of players comprised players from AFC Newbury Boys & Girls and from Shaw Boys & Belles which became part of AFC Newbury Boys & Girls in 1996. Newbury Ladies play in the Premier Division and play their games on Sundays.
Newbury Ladies FC also play in the FA Women’s Cup and the Berks & Bucks County Women’s Senior Cup
History of Newbury Ladies FC:
•2003-4 Berks & Bucks Women’s County League Plate Winners
•2004-5 Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League Cup Winners
•2004-5 Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League Division 1 Champions
•Promoted to Southern Region Womens Football League Division 1
•2008-9 Reserve Team Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League Division 3 Runners-Up
•Promoted to Thames Valley Counties Women’s Football League Division 2
•2010-11 Reserve Team Thames Valley Counties Womens Football League Shield Runners-Up
•2011-12 Southern Region Jubilee Cup Runners-Up
•2013-14 Southern Region Division 1 North Champions
•Promoted to Southern Region Women’s Football Premier League
About Newbury District Primary Schools FA
Newbury District Primary Schools FA (NDPSFA) is a representative club selected from member schools. The teams play against other regional representative sides and compete in regional and national competitions.
NDPSFA is a highly aspirational level of football and has been for many generations of local primary school children. Trials take place to select the best year 6 and 9 school year children from the Newbury district and the selected players go on for one season of competitive matches across the South of England. A strong spirit of sportsmanship is encouraged, with smart dress before and after games and with food and refreshments provided for the visiting team after each game.
NDPSFA has a long-established tradition of a football tour, either to Jersey or within the UK, depending on the parents’ fundraising activities. Many local men in Newbury into their 40’s and 50’s will still fondly recall their time on tour with NDPSFA.
About Pro-cision
Pro-cision offers a range of football coaching services to players, teams and coaches from beginner through to elite level.
With over 25 years’ experience of delivering football coaching initiatives in local communities and professional academies, Pro-cision is able to provide a service that prides itself on the latest and most effective coaching methods and styles appropriate to the age and ability of the group.
Football services that Pro-cision provide in West Berkshire are:
•Elite Training Centres (7-15 years)
•Football Academies (10-14 years)
•Football and Education Academies (16-18 years)
•Schools
•Team Coaching
•School Holiday Courses
•Birthday Parties
Pro-cision believe everyone should be given the opportunity “to achieve their full potential” and this ethos underpins everything that they do. They also work in partnership with Global Premier Soccer, the largest soccer coaching provider in the United States.
About CSA 07
CSA has been involved with the group for a number of years and we’re very pleased that they have formally joined in August 2023.
You can find more about them from their web site here.
About the FA
The FA is the governing body of association football in England. Formed in 1863, it is the oldest football association in the world and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the amateur and professional game. It as been actively engaged and involved with NCFG supporting the protection of Newbury Football Ground. A report from the FA in relation to football in West Berkshire identified that:
•The estimated health costs of inactivity in West Berkshire are £1.5m per year.
•Sport related activity is worth over £68m per year to the West Berkshire economy.
•There is a very clear link between poor facility experience (including availability of poor quality pitches) and declining participation.
•A significant slice of the £260 million FA National Game Strategy budget over the next four years has been allocated to improving facilities directly.
•The loss of playing fields has been well documented and adds to the pressure on the remaining facilities to cope with the demand, especially in urban areas.
•The FA Chairman’s Commission identified facilities as a key priority for future investment alongside revised and improved coaching structures.
•The FA 3G mapping (April 2016), identified the need for an additional 4 and half full size 3G pitches in West Berkshire to meet current demand (by 2020 this was 8!).
•The lack of an up-to-date, Playing Pitch Strategy in West Berkshire undermines the Council’s ability to make fully informed decisions on the future pitch provision in West Berkshire (the long overdue PPS was published in late 2019 and adopted by the council in 2020).
The FA report concluded that better pitches and greater availability to use them are the key triggers to bring about greater participation across the game. That’s why The FA is placing significant investment in building more pitches (synthetic and natural turf) and protecting and enhancing existing ones. It is essential to the FA not only in sustaining the eleven million people that play football in England but also in support of the FA and the government ambition of getting more people playing the game. Protecting and enhancing football in Newbury is vital component of its strategy.
Report from the FA supporting the ACV application for Newbury Football Ground
In support of the Newbury Community Football Group bid to list the Newbury FC ground and facilities at Faraday Road as an Asset of Community Value the following information will help to demonstrate the alignment of the groups ambitions with FA and Sport England/government priorities.
Role of Sport in West Berkshire
It is important to recognise that sport makes a profound and positive impact on individuals, communities and wider society. Boosting participation in sport can generate a range of social and economic benefits for local communities.
There is a strong body of evidence of the health and physical fitness benefits of sport, for example the link between physical inactivity and obesity and the role of physical activity in reducing the risk of cardiovascular heart disease. The estimated health costs of inactivity in West Berkshire are £1.5m per year.
Evidence on economic benefits includes information on employment levels, the impact of sporting events and the economic benefits from health improvements associated with increased physical activity. Research commissioned by Sport England shows the direct contribution of sport related activity is worth over £68m per year to the West Berkshire economy. There is an additional £65m economic value per year in improved quality and length of life for West Berkshire residents combined with health care costs which are avoided in the local area.
The FA State of the nation report – December 2015
The FA has released data from the largest ever survey into grassroots football it has undertaken. The national grassroots surveys have been conducted by the FA insight team each year since 2011.
During October 2015 more than 28,750 players, coaches, referees, staff and volunteers responded to the online poll. And results show that their commitment to supporting the national game is steadfast – with more than three quarters of respondents indicating that they plan to maintain or increase their involvement next season.
More than half (52%) hold the view that football is the most value-for-money sport to take part in – beating cycling (36%) and running (32%). But the survey also confirms areas where it is widely accepted the state of the grassroots game needs to improve.
When it comes to playing facilities, in line with the findings of (now ex-chair) Greg Dyke’s Chairman’s Commission, the survey found that among existing players, availability of pitches remains the biggest factor in how much they play, and a lack of quality of pitches is putting them off playing more.
The survey found that players with access to better quality pitches would to play 25% more often than currently, while those playing on poorly maintained pitches are likely to reduce the amount they play next season.
Essentially, there is a very clear link between poor facility experience (including availability of pitches) and declining participation.
Currently in England, 83% of pitches are publicly owned and, as austerity measures kick in, local authority budgets are increasingly being squeezed. Funds for pitch maintenance are often at risk as councils are forced to prioritise essential services.
About BBFA
Like their national body the FA, the Berks & Bucks FA has also been very supportive of the aims of NCFG and the need to protect Newbury Football Ground.
The information below was provided by the Berks & Bucks FA, outlining a county and local context in support of NCFG’s bid to list Newbury Football Ground and its facilities at Faraday Road as an Asset of Community Value.
Berks & Bucks FA Vision:
Lead, Protect & Support “Your Journey in Football” by working in the interest of the long-term interests of grassroots football across the County.
The Berks & Bucks FA is the 7th largest County FA in the Country with 734 clubs (3298 teams), 63 competitions and thousands of volunteers across the county.
Within West Berkshire, we have 55 Clubs, 234 teams affiliated to the Berks & Bucks FA who play regular grassroots football, training and weekly fixtures. 20/55 Clubs within the West Berkshire hold the FA Charter Standard mark which is an accreditation awarded to clubs rigorously adjudged to be well-run and sustainable – and which prioritise child protection, quality coaching and implementation of the Respect programme. FA Charter Standard Club, AFC Newbury Boys & Girls are one the football clubs that holds this prestigious award and current affiliate with 16 teams while AFC Newbury Colts run 13.
Please refer to the below table which outlines the current baseline of teams within West Berkshire and the 2019 focus for retention or growth of new teams: –
LA: West Berkshire in Apr-16 (and 2019)
Total of Male Teams 131
No of Youth Male 77 (Growth)
No of Adult 11v11 Male 54 (Retain)
Total No of Female Teams 27
No of Youth Female 23 (Growth)
No of Adult 11v11 Female 4 (Retain)
Total No of Disability Teams 3
No of Male Disability 3 (Retain)
No of Female Disability 0 (Retain)
Mini Soccer Teams 73 (Growth)
Total 234
Newbury FC (Season 14/15) was one of 12 clubs playing Step 5 Football meeting the relevant ground grading F requirement, a facility status few clubs achieve within the county FA’s area.
Faraday Road, not only a regular home to Newbury FC and their Reserves team but also hosts regular fixtures for local grassroots community clubs like AFC Newbury Boys & Girls Youth 11v11 teams, Newbury & District Sunday League (3 Divisions, 21 registered adult 11v11 teams), Berks & Bucks FA representative football and Berkshire Schools representatives football. This facility underpins the main strands of the county FA vision and is a key enabler in ensuring we retain the current team participation levels within Newbury and the West Berkshire area.
Summary
The Faraday Road football stadium and clubhouse (Newbury Football Ground) is an important community asset used extensively as a sporting, social and community facility by senior, youth and junior football teams. The clubhouse is used as a cost-effective option to the community for social events. The ground also has a long record of hosting charity events and family gatherings.
Newbury Community Football Group CIC (NCFG) is an officially recognised Community Interest Company, with a Certificate of Incorporation issued by Companies House on 29th April 2016. The objects of the CIC are to carry out activities which benefit the community and in particular to support and champion the provision of football for all in the local Newbury community.
NCFG comprises representatives from the main football organisations in Newbury, including Newbury FC, Newbury Ladies FC, AFC Newbury Boys & Girls, AFC Newbury Colts, Newbury District Primary Schools FA and Pro-cision Football Coaching.
NCFG was willing to run, manage, maintain and improve the ground if necessary.
Background
In April 2016, The Football Association of England (FA) identified the need for an additional 4 and half full size pitches in West Berkshire to meet current demand of football across the community. The FA also criticised West Berkshire Council’s lack of a Pitch Playing Strategy (PPS). [2020 update – we need 8 pitches now, but there is a PPS]
Newbury has a long history of formally organised local football stretching back to 1887 when its first team was officially formed. Newbury Football Ground, the only one in Newbury, has stood on this site since 1963 and has been used by all ages across the generations. The clubhouse has been regularly used by the community for social gatherings and club meetings for over 50 years.
There are 3 criteria specified to evaluate whether a location can be classified as an Asset of Community Value and an application must meet at least one of these. Newbury Football Ground meets all 3 criteria!
A building or a piece of land is deemed to have a community value if:
1. The use of the land or building currently, or in the recent past, furthers the social wellbeing or cultural, recreation or sporting interests of the local community;
Newbury Football Ground is used multiple times each week as both a social and sporting facility by a wide range of community groups, and has been for many decades.
2. The use of the building (as described above) will continue to further the social wellbeing or interests of the local community.
There is a large and growing need by the local community to use this facility which goes to the heart of community wellbeing, especially for the young. A petition to support the continued use of the ground has reached around 7,000 signatures!
3. The use of the building or land must not be deemed “ancillary”, i.e. of secondary purpose. This means that the use of the land or building to further the social wellbeing or interests must be its principal use.
Newbury Football Ground’s principal use is social wellbeing and sporting interests.
Overview
The Ground is well-maintained, well-used and is ideally located. It is convenient to access for all age groups by a variety of means including public transport and pedestrian travel, thereby reducing dependency on the car (a key objective of West Berks Council). Close proximity to the Town Centre means that the Ground makes a valuable contribution to both vibrancy and footfall (e.g. supporters visiting the town before and after matches).
The freehold of the Ground is owned by West Berkshire Council, in effect as trustee on behalf of the community of West Berkshire. Following an invitation by WBC, Newbury FC (one of the users of the Ground and its caretaker) entered into a lease in 2007/8 under which the club is obligated to pay rent, maintain the ground and make it available for use by other football teams and clubs and as a community venue. In essence, the lease is an arrangement for the management and maintenance of the facility by a private entity and is complementary to the ground’s formal status as a protected Cultural Facility and Green Infrastructure.
The ground and clubhouse are protected in West Berkshire Council’s Core Strategy; in Area Delivery Plan Policy 2 as a Cultural Facility and in policy CS18 as Green Infrastructure. Paragraph 74 of the National Planning Policy Framework similarly protects sporting and recreational facilities.
Sport Uses
The facility is frequently used by a wide range of community groups across a spectrum of ages. In terms of football this includes, schools, youth leagues, local boys and girls teams and senior teams.
For senior teams, the ground is a key factor in the league acceptance criteria and therefore the level at which the men are permitted to compete. Leagues have to adhere to strict FA criteria for facilities which includes floodlights, turnstiles, changing rooms, safe viewing areas, perimeter fencing and, crucially, security of tenure.
AFC Newbury Boys & Girls, a voluntary organisation, provides football to over 300 local boys and girls each week and a range of teams use the ground every month for league matches, championship cup games and training sessions. Senior football provides progression for young players which is crucial to securing ongoing involvement in the game.
The venue is often used by the Berkshire Schools Association as well as a range of FA Youth League teams. Newbury Ladies FC have used the Ground in the past and wish to use it in the future, as do the Newbury District Primary Schools FA.
The Future
As has been the case for the past ten years, the facility can be operated without the involvement of West Berkshire Council. West Berks Council currently receives rent and thus revenue for the use by Newbury Football Club. NCFG is willing to ensure that the management and maintenance of the facility will continue without any costs to the pubic purse.
Under the right circumstances, additional funding can be raised to both enhance and (should the opportunity arise) expand the facilities. There is factual evidence of consistent and frequent use and of even stronger demand if facilities are protected and improved.
As well as being essential for Newbury FC’s senior teams, a long term or permanent right to use the facility is vital to securing investment and thereby upkeep and improvement of facilities for all users.
The Importance of Security of Tenure
Security of tenure is crucial to securing the long-term health of senior football in Newbury as all football leagues require homr ground security of tenure for between 2-10 years as a pre-requsiste to league entry. The lack of secure tenure and public threat over the lease has resulted in the senior team being demoted to lower leagues. The club has plans and the ambition to play at the highest level possible in the football pyramid system and in order to do this security of tenure is key.
A successful senior team is important to the community and its fan base but, more importantly, it is vital as a progression route (pathway) for young players. The absence of a successful senior team will directly discourage young players from remaining in the sport after their teenage years.
Security of tenure (and worse, avoiding the potential loss of the facility) is necessary to preserve the facility for local cup and league fixtures at all levels of football but particularly young teams. It will also secure charity events such as the Big Match which in June 2016 raised £50,000, the best ever result for the charity, despite playing previous Big Match events at Reading FC’s Madjeski Stadium.
Security of tenure will open up opportunities for investment, particularly from external sources like Sport England, The FA, local businesses, sponsoship, the Lottery Fund and West Berkshire Council’s Section 106/CIL pool for funding Public Open Space.
Newbury is familiar with the benefits for the community and local economy of successful sporting venues. With the right support and focus, a footballing facility can make an equally important contribution.
Support & Usage
Footballing in Newbury is run by a small army of volunteers each of whom commit many hours each week to coaching, pitch maintenance, refereeing, administration and fundraising.
The facility at Faraday Road is managed and maintained by Newbury Football Club volunteers who maintain the pitch and stadia as well as managing the social venue.
In addition to finding strong support in West Berks Council’s Core Strategy land use planning policies, the preservation and enhancement of the facility goes to the very heart of the Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy, particularly for young people. It also finds favour with the aspirations in Newbury Vision (2026) to enhance facilities for the young, improve sporting assets and attract people to the Town Centre.
A petition (online and on paper) to preserve and enhance the Ground has so far attracted well in excess of 7,000 signatures!
Recent Community Football Use (Teams and Matches)
There is a mis-conception held by some that Newbury Football Ground is used only by the men’s teams of Newbury Football Club. This is far from reality and in fact the Ground has been used extensively by a wide range of community groups for many years, cementing its criticality as a community venue. The examples below show the extensive ranges of usages in recent times:
•Newbury FC 1st Team
•Newbury FC Reserve Team
•Newbury Ladies Football Club
•AFC Newbury Boys and Girls Under 18’s team
•AFC Newbury Boys and Girls Under 17’s team
•AFC Newbury Boys and Girls Under 16’s team
•AFC Newbury Boys and Girls Under 15’s team
•Southcote Under 16’s
•AFC Newbury Free Taster Session Training for Under 6’s (school year 1)
•Berks and Bucks FA U18 Team
•Gloucester FA U18 Team
•Newbury and District Sunday League – Vic Cup Final Wilshire FA U18 Team
•Newbury and District Sunday League – Bowness Knock Out Cup Final Newbury & District Sunday League – Lakeside Cup Final
•Saturday Junior Cup Final
•FA Inter-League Cup Extra Preliminary Round
•The Stryker Cup Final
•Berkshire Schools Association – Elm Park Cup Final Under 14 Boys
•Berkshire Schools Association – Walsh Park Cup Final Under 18 Boys
•Berkshire Schools Association – Neil Wright Cup Final Under 15 Boys
•Berkshire Schools Association – Inter-County Reed Final Under 14 Boys
•Berkshire Schools Association – Edgecombe Cup Final Under 12 Boys
•Berkshire Schools Association – County Cup Final Under 14 Girls
•Berkshire Schools Association – County Cup Final Under 14 Boys
•English Schools FA – South West Counties Inter-County Championship Final – U16 Girls
•Berkshire Schools Association – County Cup Final Under 16 Boys v Girls
•The Big Match 2016
West Berks Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS)
The FA is committed to working with Sport England in supporting the production of playing pitch strategies. Sport England recommends all Local Authorities should have a PPS and has criticised West Berks Council’s not only lack of a PPS, but also any planned timelines for its production. A PPS is fundamental in decision making on playing pitches and this serves as further evidence of the need to the ACV to formally recognise the community value of Newbury Football Ground.
To ensure there is a good supply of high quality playing pitches and playing fields to meet the sporting needs of local communities, all local authorities should have an up-to-date PPS. By providing valuable evidence and direction a PPS can be of significant benefit to a wide variety of parties and agendas. The following are some of the key drivers for football:
• Provide an up-to-date understanding of supply and demand for football in West Berkshire in support of the FA ambition of getting more people playing the game.
• Protect and improve quality of football pitches and ancillary facilities as current and future demand requires.
• Identify the broad issues that need to be addressed for football, pitch utilisation, quality and maintenance issues, access, barriers to participation and wider action needed to address these.
• Provide evidence to support towards more strategic and sustainable provision, e.g. sports hubs – future demand/park life.
• Understand the implications of any budget reductions and impact on the game and address these by planned, sustainable and consultative solutions in order to protect and enhance the game.
• Identify potential improvements to management arrangements for key sports sites by determining the key elements that deliver sustainability.
• Determine the future role of 3G Football Turf Pitches (FTP) in sustaining and growing the game in West Berkshire.
The assessment and strategy are required to assist in sport and recreation facility development and provide a robust and up-to-date evidence base to support planning policy documents, development management decisions, infrastructure planning, funding bids and investment decisions.
The lack of an up-to-date, playing pitch strategy in West Berkshire undermines the Council’s ability to make fully informed decisions on the future pitch provision in West Berkshire.
[2020 update – WBC finally got round to listening to Sport England in 2019 and jointly developed a PPS with the major sports bodies, but sadly the council only adopted the draft version which has no timescale for the reprovision of the Faraday Road ground, so we are uncertain what will happen and when]
Social, Community and Charity Use of Newbury Football Ground
The facility is frequently booked for both social and community uses, including wedding and funeral receptions, celebration functions like birthdays and as a meeting venue for numerous community groups.
Newbury Football Ground and clubhouse is extensively used as a social venue for hire. It offers a low-cost licensed clubhouse facility and, due to its location away from the central pubs and clubs of Newbury and being adjacent to a car park, is popular with the older generations of the Newbury community, particularly for 60th, 70th and 80th birthday parties as well as wakes, wedding and christening receptions. It is also used by local groups for club and manager/coach meetings. Bookings reduced in 2015 onwards after news reports of the club’s closure created uncertainty for those arranging events.
As well as having a key role in the community for football, Newbury Football Ground is also frequently used by the local community for both fundraising events and social events. For example the Jake Charity Day, Charity Match for Rory Rowbottom, Tahlia Luella’s Easter Family Fun, Will Pemberton Breast Charity Fundraising Night, Sandra Talman Charity Match and a series of non-published fundraising events for cancer charities have all used the Faraday Road Stadium free-of-charge and all raising significant amount of monies from within the local community.
In February 2016, The Big Match announced they would hold their large-scale, annual charity football match at Newbury Football Ground in June 2016. The Big Match features a large cast of celebrities, ex-professional players and members of the public and raises money for The Brain Tumour Charity and Action for Children. Newbury Football Ground was selected to host The Big Match, even though that in past years has been held at Madejski Stadium in Reading.
Football use aside, the significance of the clubhouse in terms of community value should not be under-estimated and is a significant factor in the ACV application too. The current West Berkshire register of Community Right to Bid Assets of Community Value (Localism Act 2011) lists 9 Assets, of which 7 are pubs or licensed premises.
Newbury Community Football Group Vision
Newbury Community Football Group (an incorporated Community Interest Company) and has been formed to represent the needs of the footballing community in Newbury for a central facility with stadium and clubhouse.
The group has a clear vision and plan to develop the ground into a modern, integrated football facility for all of the local community. NCFG has engaged with key associations including Sport England, the FA and the Berks & Bucks FA, all of whom are very supportive of the concept of developing and modernising the ground.
Conceptual Expansion Potential
Architects have produced a conceptual plan to show how a new 3G artificial turf pitch, a full size grass pitch and 2 mini-soccer pitches as well a club facilities and parking could be developed on the existing footprint of public land including the ground and some neighbouring Public Open Space. It is emphasised that whilst desirable, expansion of the land area is not essential to the ground’s operation and continued value to the community, but it is important to note that substantial improvement could be achieved within the current ground’s boundaries.
3G pitches are important for multi-use sports grounds, with several games a day easily playable, unlike grass pitches which can support limited games due to wear and tear, without expensive and intensive ground maintenance.
The FA 3G mapping (April 2016), identified the need for an additional 4 and half full size 3G pitches in West Berkshire to meet current demand. [By 2020 this was 8 pitches!]
There are 15 3G pitches within the area covered by the Berks & Bucks FA, but only one 3G pitch in all of West Berkshire. This is at Park House School and whilst widely used by a range of football groups, it is expensive to rent (prices were increased by 50% in June 2016) and relatively inaccessible due to high demand. This 3G pitch is no longer licensed by the FA due to the cost of maintenance and as a result, Newbury uniquely amongst the main towns in the surrounding area, does not have any 3G facilities sanctioned for league matches (Berks & Bucks has 14 compared to Hampshire’s 26). As a major town in Berkshire with a population exceeding 41,000, (the population is forecast to grow dramatically over the next ten years, possibly heading towards 50,000.) Newbury should clearly have at its heart a community-use 3G pitch and associated clubhouse facilities. Newbury Football Ground is perfectly positioned to support such future development.
FA Funding and Support
The FA Web site states that funding is available upon application, subject to meeting certain criteria, from the Football Foundation, the UK’s largest sports charity. Funded by The Football Association, the Premier League and the Government, the Foundation directs £36m every year into grassroots sport.
These three partners have committed further funding into the Football Foundation with a new agreement lasting to 2013. The Foundation has been working closely with its Trustees with a view to introducing revised funding criteria with the emphasis on making the maximum impact with the available budget.
The Football Foundation is currently accepting new Expressions of Interest for those who want to apply for facility funding. These Expressions of Interest will be managed under the current process in partnership with The FA and County Football Associations. Further information can be found here.
There is typically a 3 year pay-back on 3G pitch investment and, given Newbury is currently devoid of a facility, a 3G facility at Newbury Football Ground would be in very high demand and, along with income from the clubhouse social facilities, be able to sustain itself financially as well as providing a cost effective rental arrangement to non-commercial community sporting groups.
A number of local businesses have indicated an interest in providing sponsorship should the facility be protected for future use. Added to this, Section 106 money received by West Berkshire Council pre-April 2014 and/or CIL payments received post April 2014 might be available to fund improvements and expansion, if agreed.
New Strategic Opportunities
The Government’s new Sporting Futures Strategy was published in December 2015. This strategy emphasises the role that Sport and Physical activity can play in delivering against key outcomes and particular importance is placed on promoting sport to people from all backgrounds.
At the heart of the new strategy sit five outcomes: physical health, mental health, individual development, social & community development and economic development. All Government funding for sport and physical activity will go to organisations which can best demonstrate that they will deliver some or all of these five outcomes.
FA National Game Strategy 2015-2019
Breaking the dependency on under-funded local authority pitches is a central pillar of The FA’s new National Game Strategy for Participation and Development. A significant slice of the £260 million budget over the next four years has been allocated to improving facilities directly – with investment set aside to bring the number of all-weather 3G artificial grass pitches more in line with some of our European counterparts. New grass-turf pitches and improvements to a further 2,000 existing pitches are also in the pipeline.
And with Government support, further funds have also been dedicated to build up to 150 new ‘Parklife’ football hubs across as many as 30 cities – with a pilot scheme only months from commencement in Sheffield.
There are four key pillars of the strategy:
• Participation – More people playing football more often with a particular boost for female participation.
• Player Development – Invest £16m into coaching & competition format and FA skills programme 5–11 years.
• Football Workforce – Run the game more efficiently.
• Facilities – Invest £48m into new and improved facilities through the Football Foundation.
• Create 100 new football turf pitches (3G) and improve 2,000 grass pitches.
• Invest in and roll out a new sustainable model for grassroots facilities in 30 cities through football hubs owned and operated by local communities.
• Ensure half of mini-soccer and youth matches are played on high quality artificial grass pitches.
The FA launched its first Facility Strategy seeking to implement the following vision: Build, protect and enhance sustainable football facilities to improve the experience of the Nations Favourite Game.
The strategy is made up of 5 key strands:
• Leading the development of technical standards.
• Facility planning protection of playing fields.
• Supporting club and league volunteers.
• Targeted facility improvement schemes.
• Capital investment.
The Strategy also reinforces the urgent need to provide affordable, new and improved facilities in schools, clubs and on local authority sites where there is community use. Of particular interest is working with Charter Standard Community Clubs to work through asset transfer opportunities to reduce the reliance on the public sector.
Over 80% of football is played on public sector facilities rather than in private members’ clubs. The leisure budgets of most local authorities have been reduced over recent years as priorities have been in other sectors. The loss of playing fields has also been well documented and adds to the pressure on the remaining facilities to cope with the demand, especially in urban areas.
The England Commission/ Parklife (May 2014)
In response to the decline in the quantity and quality of football facilities in England and the link between poor facility experience and participation, the FA Chairman’s Commission identified facilities as a key priority for future investment alongside revised and improved coaching structures. The report highlighted that football facilities are badly exposed to the public funding cuts and there is an expectation on ‘football’ to take up more responsibility. The report highlighted the following key objectives:
1. Reduce football’s reliance on local authority subsidies.
2. Build significantly more AGP’s (3G artifical grass pitches).
3. Build a sustainable model that makes this change happen.
It concluded that by mapping current and future participation requirements in a city against existing and potential new facilities, a pitch blueprint will be produced. This blueprint will identify the ‘appropriate’ number of core football hubs at which the city’s football demands can be met by the provision of high quality AGPs – The City Football Hub Model.
Each football hub will differ depending on local circumstances but typically each would be floodlit and provide changing, classroom and catering facilities. A football hub will be used to host both formal league fixtures on weekends and recreational/informal football opportunities during the week, but with particular emphasis on:
• Ensuring where possible all mini-soccer and kids football up to the age of 13 is played on AGPs.
• Allowing all County FA and local pro-club youth development and FA coach education programmes to be facilitated on AGPs.
• Providing high quality natural turf pitches where appropriate.
• Providing midweek affordable training opportunities for local clubs.
• Optimising school and community usage during off-peak hours.
By 2020 there would be:
• A 130% increase in the number of top quality AGPs in England’s 30 biggest cities (an increase from 218 to 5012).
• A 50% increase in the total number of AGPs in England over four years bringing the total to over 1,000 pitches compared with 639 currently.
• More than 150 new football owned and managed football hubs to support the delivery of FA, County FA and professional club youth development and coach education programmes.
• Over 50% of all mini-soccer and youth football matches being played on the best quality AGPs.
The FA 3G mapping (April 2016), identified the need for an additional 4 and half full size 3G pitches in West Berkshire to meet current demand [8 by 2020]. This is based on an average of 42 teams per week training for at least 1 hour on a 3G pitch based on current team data. Further more detail analysis is required to map match play demand and future growth.
It is anticipated that the principles of the city football hub model will cascade down to all Local Authorities as part of Local Football Investment Plans through County Football Associations.
It is anticipated that these plans should be linked to strategic priorities identified through Playing Pitch Strategies.
The Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2015-2016
West Berkshire Council seeks to improve health and wellbeing to “help people live longer, healthier, happier and more fulfilling lives” to achieve these aims West Berkshire Council has committed to:
• Creating environments where healthy choices are the easy choices.
• Tackling inequalities in health, making the health and wellbeing of the people who are the worst off in our district as good as the most affluent.
• Forming partnerships with the voluntary and community sector and the residents and service users of West Berkshire.
In this respect, Newbury Football Ground makes a vitally important contribution:
• There is easy access to the grounds which is a 2 minutes’ walk from Newbury Town Centre, as such it can be readily reached by all in West Berkshire.
• The ground is accessible by walking, cycling, driving, bus and train, helping to create a healthy and easily accessible facility.
• The accessibility of the grounds and the fact that all users could use the facilities free of charge directly achieves the aims of involving all members of the community, regardless of economic background.
• The ground and clubhouse facility is and will continue to be run by volunteers, at no cost to the public purse. This arrangement has been in place for over 21 years.
West Berks Council’s strategy for Health and Wellbeing states “Our communities will be enabled and empowered to have control over their own health and wellbeing”. A petition to protect, preserve and enhance the Newbury Football Ground and clubhouse has so far attracted over 7,000 signatures, a clear signal that the community’s vision for health in West Berkshire includes a home for football in central Newbury.
Part of the council’s vision for health, centres around making the best use of public money. Newbury Football Ground has been run at nil cost to the public purse, and for ten years has paid rent to the council thereby making a net contribution to public finances.
As a community service run by volunteers, Newbury Football Ground accomplishes the aims of The Vision for Health and Wellbeing:
• Delivered to relative need: Newbury Football Ground is the major facility for footballers of all ages in West Berkshire. There is a definite need for a high quality football pitch, which Newbury Football Ground satisfies.
• Accessible to all, taking into account disabilities: The ground is fully accessible to all, including disable access.
• Provide value for money: The ground is financially independent and receives no public funding, the club factually makes a contribution to the public purse through the payment of rent and rates.
•The facility is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable: The facility is used by a large number of football teams, community groups and social users. It is in an environmentally sustainable location which is easily accessible via public transport and by pedestrian means.
The Council’s Health and Wellbeing Strategy clearly states that the Councils priorities “include promoting healthier lifestyles”. Numerous studies have proven that sports (particularly football) are a major contributor to the social, physical and mental health and wellbeing of all members of society, particularly the young.
Furthermore, West Berkshire Council aims to increase ‘opportunities for residents to be more physically active’. The Newbury Football Ground makes a meaningful contribution to this objective.
Whilst the obesity levels in West Berkshire are slightly below national averages, obesity is still prevalent in the area. The World Health Organisation is clear that regular physical activity, such as sports, positively affects health and reduces risks of diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Participation is sports has also been proven to improve mental health.
Newbury Vision 2026
The Newbury Vision sets out West Berks Council’s aspirations of how Newbury should develop. As part of the Vision, it has been decided that Newbury is to “preserve and enhance existing areas of open space”. Newbury Football Ground is a large area of formal public open space in the town that makes a significant and positive contribution to the Green Infrastructure of West Berkshire.
Moreover, the Newbury Vision aims to increase opportunities for the growth of recreational and sporting facilities in the town. Newbury Football Ground is one of the principle facilities in the town and makes a very positive and considerable contribution to this aim.
Another aspiration of the Vision is to ensure that the London Road Industrial Estate contributes to the town’s Green Infrastructure. The Newbury Football Ground is located on the edge of the London Road Industrial Estate and will self-evidently contribute to this aspiration.
West Berkshire Council Core Strategy: Land Use
The Core Strategy sets out the council’s priorities and objectives in terms of land use planning. Newbury Football Ground in Faraday Road is clearly identified as an asset of value, and is firmly protected by planning policies.
14.1.Area Delivery Plan Policy 2 (ADPP2):
“Existing community facilities will be protected and, where appropriate, enhanced. These include leisure and cultural facilities, which contribute to the attraction of the town for both residents and visitors.”
West Berkshire Council’s interactive map identifies Newbury Football Ground as a cultural facility as can be seen from the screenshot below:
Core Strategy 18 – Green Infrastructure (GI)
Newbury Football Ground is identified in Local Planning Policy CS.18 as a vital part of Green Infrastructure in West Berkshire
The Policy is unambiguous, “the district’s Green Infrastructure will be protected and enhanced” and “Developments resulting in the loss of green infrastructure or harm to its use or enjoyment by the public will not be permitted”.
CS.18 goes further in explaining why West Berkshire’s green infrastructure, (which by reference includes Newbury Football Ground) is essential for the vitality of the area; “The multi-functional nature of GI in the District is important for many reasons. It contributes significantly to the quality of life for residents, workers and visitors, in terms of both visual amenity and for sport and recreation purposes”. As an area of open green space and a provider of healthy social activity, the Football Ground is fundamental to the quality of residents’ lives in West Berkshire.
Paragraph 5.124 provides a definition of Green Infrastructure, which includes:
Outdoor sports facilities (with natural or artificial surfaces, either publicly or privately owned) – including tennis courts, bowling greens, sports pitches, golf courses, athletics tracks, school and other institutional playing fields, and other outdoor sports areas.”
Paragraph 5.129 names Newbury Football Grounds as part of West Berks’ Green Infrastructure and sporting provision:
“sports clubs with good facilities such as Newbury Rugby Club, Newbury Town, Thatcham Town and Hungerford Town Football Clubs, …..”
As part of West Berkshire’s Green Infrastructure, Newbury Football Ground is to be protected and enhanced, meaning that the provision of a high quality green space for local residents will be maintained for future generations.
Financial Implications to the Council
Since Newbury FC took the 10 year lease, the Council has received an annual rent paid by Newbury FC. All running costs, insurance, utilities, building and pitch maintenance, security and general upkeep have been covered by Newbury FC with support from the wider footballing community. This means the community facility used by a wide range of football and social groups has been run at nil cost to West Berkshire Council, which will continue to be the case.
Security of tenure will facilitate funding from external sources including the FA, local sponsorship and the Council’s S106/CIL funding pool for Public Open Space.
Alternative Venues and Ground Sharing
Although no discussions have taken place with Newbury Football Club themselves about the viability of a “ground share”, West Berks Council has made direct contact with other clubs in the area and announced publicly on several occasions that ground sharing is feasible – this is not viable, true or possible. The standard protocol for establishing ground sharing opportunities would be to identify the requirements of the incumbent and ascertain if these requirements can be met. NCFG have reviewed and documented the requirements of a football ground in Newbury. It is clear from these requirements that ground sharing with another club is is not viable due to the number of games and the importance of its central locality, and this further supports its significance as an asset of community value.
Statement of requirements for the community needs for the Faraday Road football facility existing and future:
• Ground to FA Step 5 (Grade F) standard
• Car park for visiting supporters
• Central to town centre for home supporters (pedestrian)
• 3 weekend matches every week
• 2 mid-week matches every week
• 5 squad training sessions every week
• Bar and kitchen (for financial self-funding)
Detail of usage:
• 1 x Senior match every Saturday, (alternating between Mens 1st team, Men’s Reserve Team
• 2 x Junior matches every Sunday (Junior in morning and Youth in afternoon)
• 1 Ladies match on alternate Sundays
• 1 x U18 mid-week youth match
• 2 x Senior training sessions mid-week (every week)
• 2 x Youth training sessions mid-week (every week)
• 1 x U6-7 taster session training every Saturday morning (March-July)
A FEW WORDS ABOUT US
NCFG was formed in late 2015 by members of local footballing organisations in reaction to the then council’s proposals to demolish the town’s main football ground as part of a larger land redevelopment.
The group feels strongly that senior and youth football should retain its community home near the town centre and that the council had got its “vision” wrong.
Hundreds of children and teenagers play football in Newbury each week. This goes to the heart of improving health and wellbeing, as per West Berkshire Council’s (WBC) and the Government’s strategy. Closing the ground was fundamentally counter-productive and the Conservative council did close it in June 2018.
Newbury Football Ground is crucial to retaining interest from young to teenage and beyond (aspiration to play at a higher, older age level and succession of players progressing) and it is Newbury’s premier ground with a high quality, flat grass pitch.
Despite the best efforts of Newbury FC’s volunteer group that has maintained the ground, it has suffered from chronic under-investment (including no public funding) which NCFG is aiming to address.
The FA concludes that West Berks needs at least 8 artificial turf (3G) football pitches.
The main objectives of WBC in redeveloping the London Road Industrial Estate (LRIE, where the Faraday Road ground is) are regeneration and increased income from the land. (on hold since the Lib Dems took over from the Tories in May 2023)
NCFG’s plan to develop Newbury Football Ground (NFG) into an exciting, sport facility for the community with artificial pitches is financially sustainable and has the potential to dramatically improve the council’s income. It will therefore satisfy the above objectives and is in keeping with current strategies for regeneration/income enhancement from LRIE and improving wellbeing/health in West Berkshire (particularly for the young).
NCFG’s plan is compatible with the council’s objectives so we believe that the council should welcome it. In fact, NCFG is not proposing anything that opposes/damages the council’s strategy and objectives.
WBC’s draft Housing Site Allocations policy (see section 2.10 – 2.14 London Road Industrial Estate – Area of Regeneration) identifies that the area is not required for housing, so their proposal to redevelop the ground for flats is unsupported by evidence and planning policy. It is merely a long-held aspiration of the council which it is doggedly sticking to without considering the evidence against it.
