AN AMBITIOUS crowdfunding campaign has been launched by Droitwich Spa FC to raise £100,000 towards the cost of its new-look home ground to help take the club to the next level.
The development will include a stadia floodlit grass pitch with a 50 to 100-capacity stand, a turnstile, revamped changing rooms, pitchside spectator barriers and hard standing around the outside.
Next to that will be a floodlit FA approved 3G pitch and a programme stand.
For the past four years the first team has been playing its home games in Stourport-on-Severn because its own ground does not meet the required FA standards.
The Saltmen were 13 points ahead at the top of table with five games to go and were unlucky not to get promoted when last season was cancelled because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The team also enjoyed a fine FA Vase run, reaching the second round proper for the first time in its history.
The team are currently in second and have high hopes for promotion this season.
Wayne Oliver, former manager and now club director, said: “We have a talented young team and this development will help us match it off the pitch.”
The team is currently averaging around 90 fans-a-week, despite being in Stourport, and had a gate of 150 at the weekend.
But Wayne said when the team returned to the town there would be a lot more potential to get more Droitwich people down to see the team in action.
And it is not just the first team the new ground would benefit – it is also home to the Droitwich Spa Community Club, which includes the Boys and Girls Football Club, Droitwich Spa Ladies FC, the Veterans, Hockey Club and Droitwich Spa Boxing club.
That equates to 750 to 800 players and sportsmen, women and youngsters who would be able to use the site so it would enhance the site for the whole Droitwich Spa Community.
The club has been working with Wychavon District Council which owns the land and the project would complement the 4G pitch already at King Georges Playing fields.
Wayne added: “The rugby club has been improved, we had the tennis courts at the Lido Park and this will be the biggest community project for football in the town.”
Wayne said there were other fund-raising activities in the pipeline and he hoped the page could reach its target in the next six months.
“It would be amazing if we could get a lot of people giving a little rather than relying on a few to give larger amounts but anything anyone can contribute or donate would be welcome.
“This really will benefit the whole of the Droitwich Spa community.”
Visit gofundme.com/f/droitwich-spa-fc-ground-fund for more information and to donate to the cause.
