Fun Day set to kick off Newbury Town’s new era

A new era of football begins at Faraday Road on 30th August, with a newly revamped and re-launched Newbury Town FC, led by new chairman Danny Langford.

As well as the change of name back to Newbury Town, a new home kit launch and a change of colour (to red from amber & black), a revamped committee has been driving the changes at the local football club.

Behind the scenes, Newbury Town have been working closely with Newbury Community Football Group (NCFG) and West Berkshire Council to ensure the ground has maintained its FA Step 7 Ground Grading status.

They have also announced an exciting partnership with Hillen’s Kitchen for match-day food, while the Club has also applied for its own alcohol licence.

“We want to return a proper match-day experience at Faraday Road,” said Langford.

“We have amazing support locally and we want to make sure our supporters have a great experience both on and off the pitch this season.”

Last season was not the homecoming the Club had hoped for, finishing bottom of the Thames Valley Premier League and only being able to play at Faraday Road from November.

The Club had very limited hospitality facilities, which made it hard to attract back the calibre of players needed to compete at this level.

Fortunately, Newbury avoided relegation due to some structural changes in the league and will continue to play at Step 7.

With the new team management structure in place, led by Manager Carl Jenner—a highly experienced and respected coach who will be supported by two fantastic coaches, Luke Gray and Rob Smith—the Club has been able to once again attract top local talent back to the squad.

Carl Jenner said:

“We’ve already announced some fantastic marquee signings such as Jake Allen, Jack North, Jordan Seward, Kallum Thomas and many more.

“All these incomings have been discussed and overseen by James O’Doherty, the new Director of Football at the Club.

“I’m really excited about what this team can achieve this season. We are ambitious and hungry for success.”

With such dramatic progress made in such a short space of time, things are really looking up for Newbury.

After the previous devastating eviction from Faraday Road Football Ground in 2018 and the forced relegation that followed from not having a home ground, the road back has been tough and challenging.

Only thanks to dedicated volunteers and loyal supporters has the Club survived to see its eventual revival.

Working hand in hand with the new committee has been Newbury Community Football Group (NCFG), who represent some of the key local football clubs in Newbury in relation to Faraday Road.

Working with West Berkshire Council, spokesman Lee McDougall said:

“The changes in the Club since May have been truly transformational, and I am delighted to see the hard work over many years by NCFG and the local community finally paying off.

“We still need a full football stadium returned to Faraday Road, and we are continuing to work with West Berkshire Council to drive the next stage of development of the ground—a full-size 3G pitch which the whole community can use and enjoy.”

“We are really grateful to West Berks Council,” added Langford.

“The progress and support has been fantastic, but it’s important to recognise that Faraday Road is now a community ground and I personally am delighted to see youth football being played there every Sunday by AFC Newbury Boys and Girls and CSA 007.”

The first fixture for the team is on the 30th August against Wokingham Town Reserves and, fittingly, it’s at home at Faraday Road Football Ground.

While last-minute repairs and improvements to the pitch and ground are underway, Danny Langford is planning to mark the occasion with a bang!

“We want the opening day game to be a real celebration of local football and a thank-you to all those loyal supporters who have stuck with us over the recent challenging years.

“We are planning a fun day and would ask as many people as possible to come and join us and cheer us on.

“As well as high-quality food from Hillen’s Kitchen and a fully licensed bar, there will be entertainment for the children, a penalty shootout and team mascots to make it a real family day—so please come and join us!”