Newbury FC Returns to Home Ground After Six-Year Absence

A local football club has made its return to its original home ground following a six-year period away. Newbury FC was removed from the council-owned Faraday Road site in 2018 in anticipation of potential redevelopment work, and a significant portion of the ground was subsequently destroyed in an arson attack in August 2021. The previous Conservative administration of West Berkshire Council had intended to utilize the location for alternative purposes. However, the Liberal Democrats, who assumed control of the council in 2023, facilitated the club’s re-establishment at the site. Lee McDougall, representing the Newbury Community Football Group, described the journey to Saturday’s match as a “really long journey”. He further stated, “Many times over the last eight years we thought this day would never come so that we are here is just amazing.” McDougall also noted, “There’s been a Newbury team playing in this location or nearby for more than 100 years.” The Thames Valley Premier League team competed against Abingdon Town in the Berks and Bucks Charles Twelftree Trophy, where they suffered a 3-0 defeat. An under-8s game took place last November, marking the first time the site had been utilized for a match since the eviction of the football club and various youth groups. Temporary changing facilities and a clubhouse are designed for reuse at other locations once further development proceeds at the ground. Nigel Foot, the council’s executive member for culture, sport, leisure and countryside, commented: “It’s hard to overestimate the value to the community because having a football club in the heart of your town really is the heartbeat of the place. All the residents have a sense of pride of it.” Ben Wickens from the club remarked: “It’s been over six years so we’ve all been looking forward to this day and a lot of hard work has gone in behind the scenes. It’s not just a day for Newbury Football Club but for the whole community.” You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.