WINCHESTER City FC have officially completed their transition from natural grass to a new and enhanced artificial pitch.
The move was initially due to be complete for the start of the 24/25 season, but bad weather delayed the switch meaning The Citizens were forced to play their first four home matches at Winklebury sports complex in Basingstoke.
The redevelopment, which also includes new floodlighting, relocated stands and a resurfacing of the car park, has not only been designed to reduce the number of games affected by bad weather, but also to increase cash-flow to the club.
The project was reported to have cost in the region of £1 million and was fully funded by the FA foundation and the Winchester City council.
The hope for Winchester is that the facilities can generate much needed cash seven days a week, 365 days a year.
The move was made official last Saturday when The Citizens played hosts to National League South side Weymouth in the FA Cup third qualifying round.
A crowd of 640 fans flocked to the new facility, where Winchester’s qualification hopes slipped away as two late Terriers goals led to a dramatic 2-2 draw.
BBC radio solent co-commentator and Weymouth legend Ian Hutchinson admitted he was very impressed with the new set-up.
“It’s great, I’ve been to Winchester a few times and it’s really changed. It looks a lot better and fresher than previously.”
He also went on to talk about the benefits to the club.
“It will bring a lot of revenue in for the club with them being able to hire it out.
“Players can train on it now so they wont have to look for a training ground and so all in all it’s a real positive for the football club.”
The increase in poor weather throughout the winter has meant that games are being called off more frequently, causing a huge backlog in fixtures towards the end of the season, with some teams ending up playing three games a week.
Frome Town, who also play their football in the Southern Premier Division, are one of those clubs who have suffered significantly in recent times with games being called off.
Director of the club David Parry envies the switch and believes it will enable the club to not only survive, but ‘thrive’.
“Frankly, having 21 home matches in a season isn’t enough to sustain a club that has ambitions and there is a risk that this can be reduced with poor weather.
“Seven day a week revenue is important to the viability of local community clubs and I firmly believe that in order for non-league clubs to progress, 3G pitches are the way forward.”
Winchester City will be hoping that the new state-of-the-art facilities will help them to realise their ambitions of pushing higher up the football pyramid towards the national league.
Although, they currently sit 19th in the Southern Premier Division South and are without a win in four games.
The Citizens are in action again tomorrow where they will host Swindon Supermarine in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy.
