Thatcham Town Football Club 3G pitch project not going ahead, newburytoday can reveal
A football club in Thatcham has axed plans for a new multi-user 3G training pitch after years of waiting, we can exclusively reveal.
Thatcham Town Football Club confirmed its decision to cancel the full-sized sports area just a month after it was relegated to Step Five of the non-league pyramid.
READ MORE: Thatcham Town relegated as club reflect on a season to forget
It recently returned Thatcham Town Council its £5,000 grant and shared it will be offering refunds to anyone else who contributed to the £79.4k sum raised through its online fundraiser so far.
One club insider told Newburytoday the council grant had been sat in an account untouched for more than a year.
But vice chairman Eric Bailey told Newburytoday: “We withheld that money from [Thatcham Town Council] for so long that there were enquires what was going on.
“We then decided we would pay them back.
“The decision was then made that we would probably terminate [the fund] because the costs were going up all the time.”
Mr Bailey continued: “We were hopeful we could get this project over the line, because we believe it is still a viable and much-needed facility for Thatcham. It’s sad we’ve had to cancel it.
“But with business rates going up and other costs, everything is going against us these days.
“We are contacting everybody who put money in to give them the choice for a refund or to donate to the club.”
The club previously invited its supporters to buy one of the 195 squares on the pitch in return for displaying their name beside the pitch and on its website.
READ MORE: Football club seeks donations for new community pitch
The project’s collapse comes a week after (May 16) long-serving custodian Paul Ayres announced he was stepping down as club chairman for reasons unspecified.
A notice posted on the club’s website at the time stated: “The club will not making any further statements at this stage but will provide updates on any future developments in due course.”
Newburytoday has contacted Mr Ayres for comment.
Mr Bailey said a date for an EGM (Extraordinary General Meeting) to replace Mr Ayres has not been set, adding that positions will be temporarily filled.
READ MORE: Thatcham Town FC bidding for new artificial pitch
Dave Melin said he was a strong advocate for the pitch during his time as club chairman (2019-21).
He told Newburytoday: “The pitch was going ahead while I was there and that was one of the key things that I really wanted to get done and over the line.
“I'm obviously disappointed at the club, now playing at a lower level at Step 5, and I'm disappointed that Paul's left.”
Thatcham Town Football & Supporters Club is an unincorporated members club based at Waterside Park off Crookham Hill.
As an unincorporated association, it does not need to be registered, according to Gov.uk.
Individual members are personally responsible (and thereby liable) for any debts and contractual obligations the club incurs.
