Sporting chance for club thanks to revamp - The Malvern Observer

Sporting chance for club thanks to revamp

Malvern Editorial 23rd Sep, 2015 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

BURNT down changing rooms, pitches in a poor state of repair and disputes over flooding had led to worrying times at Newtown Sports Junior FC.

But the future now looks bright for the community club after its new home at the Sling Lane Playing Fields underwent a revamp costing almost £500,000.

A senior pitch, a junior pitch, two mini pitches, high quality changing rooms with equipment storage and a kitchen and dedicated car parking have all been created.

They moved into the site this month after securing a five-year lease, which will be extended once a 25-year deal has been rubber-stamped.




And Simon Elmes, FA Charter co-ordinator at the club, told The Observer he was delighted with the work, having seen it through the ‘dark times’.

“We are a community club and have been pressing to get these facilities established for a long time so to finally get it over the line is delightful,” he said.


“The club has grown from strength to strength over the years but this won’t be solely for Newtown Sports – this was about securing football pitches for everyone and all clubs in Malvern.

“After a bedding-in period we will be looking to lease it out to other clubs and teams whenever we can.

“It is a great feeling for us going forward.”

Despite the pitches being in a poor condition, landowners Malvern Hills District Council still had to shell out £12,000-a-year in maintenance and repairs.

A joint agreement was then made between the council and Newtown Sports, which has teams ranging from u8s to u14s, to bring it up to standard.

MHDC initially invested £55,000 with £25,000 coming from the club. Another £65,000 was made available from money linked to planning agreements and the council also worked to secure £325,000 from Sport England and the Football Foundation.

Coun Rebecca Massey, portfolio holder for leisure at MHDC, added: “I am delighted we have been able to support Newtown Sports Junior FC in their ambition to grow the game in the district, while protecting a much valued public space from housing development and improving it for the benefit of the local community.”

The club was involved in a dispute over flooding between MHDC and Network Rail, which owns neighbouring land supporting the railway line, but a resolution was reached and the revamp commenced.

Rob Eyles, chairman of Newtown Sports Junior FC, said: “As custodians, Newtown Sports Junior FC look forward to managing the facility for the whole of the local community, while maintaining fit-for-purpose football facilities for the children of Malvern and the wider sporting fraternity.”

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