Football club handed more than £100,000 to install a new 3G pitch

Fareham Borough Council’s executive, on December 1, approved £105,000 to be allocated to AFC Portchester Football Club from Section 106 funds received by the council from developers. Members heard that the money is the final part of the funding needed for the £1.1 million project, which already has backing from the Hampshire FA, the Football Foundation, the Premier League Stadium Fund and AFC Portchester itself.

Councillor Malcolm Daniels (Con, Locks Heath) said: “Supporting grassroots football is vital for our community. People can also afford to go to non-league games and support local teams.

“Non-league is getting more and more popular. Teams all over the country are taking advantage of these pitches. Grassroots, 3G pitches are important for Portchester.”

Plans for the all-weather floodlight year-round facility were granted planning permission in October.

The new pitch will replace the current grass pitch, which has become increasingly unreliable and waterlogged during the winter. It means training sessions and matches are missed.

Councillor Paul Nother (Lib Dem, Portchester Wicor) said: “500 to 600 children a week will benefit from the upgrade for both male and female players. It will be a safe, modern space for generations to come.”

He added: “Investing in sport helps improve health, reduce antisocial behaviour, builds stronger community cohesion and increases the opportunities for young people.”

The officer’s report said that, alongside supporting hundreds of young people each week, the club’s facilities will support women’s football, disability programmes, walking football for over-50s, community health activities, and local schools.

Councillor Ian Bastable (Con, Park Gate) added that Portchester has suffered from development, so it was right that developer money should be distributed, going back into Portchester, for the community.

Construction is expected to begin in May next year and to be completed by August, minimising disruption to the football calendar.