Newbury FC has triumphantly returned to its home ground after a six-year absence. The club was originally forced out of the council-owned Faraday Road ground in 2018 due to potential
redevelopment plans. Adding to the challenges, much of the site was destroyed by an arson attack in August 2021.
The previous Conservative-led administration of West Berkshire Council had envisioned using the site for different purposes. However, after the Liberal Democrats took control in 2023, efforts were made to facilitate the club’s return.
Lee McDougall of the Newbury Community Football Group described the journey to Saturday’s match as “a really long journey.” He expressed his joy, stating, “Many times over the last eight years we thought this day would never come, so being here is just amazing. There’s been a Newbury team playing in this area for more than 100 years.”
The first senior men's game at Faraday Road since 2018 attracted a crowd of supporters who watched from behind metal barriers, some holding green Carlsberg cans and others with Coca Cola. Despite the excitement, Newbury FC fell to Abingdon Town with a 3-0 defeat in the Berks and Bucks Charles Twelftree Trophy. Last November, the site hosted an under-8s match—the first game held there since the eviction of the club and youth teams.
Portable changing rooms and a clubhouse have been installed and are designed to be reused once further redevelopment occurs.
Nigel Foot, West Berkshire Council’s executive member for culture, sport, leisure, and countryside, highlighted the community impact, saying, “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 in it.”
Club representative Ben Wickens added, “It’s been over six years, so we’ve all been looking forward to this day, and a lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes. This day isn’t just for Newbury Football Club; it’s for the whole community.” Photo by Jarrett Campbell, Wikimedia commons.