Wycombe Wanderers plan for 'state of the art' training centre in Farnham Park deal

Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is set to develop a new training centre in Farnham Royal as part of a deal to secure ‘a bright future’ for playing fields and a golf course.  

The Chairboys have penned an agreement with Buckinghamshire Council to become the leaseholder for Farnham Park Playing Fields and South Buckinghamshire Golf Course.

Wycombe Wanderers’ interim chairman and chief of football Dan Rice said the club wanted to ‘create a lasting legacy’ that would benefit the park’s ‘current users and future generations’.

Buckinghamshire councillor Peter Brazier, cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, said the move ‘promises a very bright future for the much-loved playing fields and golf course’.

Wycombe Wanderers had committed to ‘a phased programme of investment over the next five years’ to improve facilities at Farnham Park, a joint statement from the council and club said.

The League One club’s plans, still to be approved by the council, include a ‘state of the art’ football training centre and academy on the northern side of the golf course.

The training centre is designed to support youth and community football opportunities, in addition to a new artificial pitch at the playing fields for public use

South Buckinghamshire Golf Course’s 18-hole golf course may be altered to a nine or 12-hole layout to accommodate the centre.

The statement said Wycombe Wanderers would be working with existing tenants of Farnham Park, and facilities would remain open during the design and planning process.

BaseballSoftballUK, one of the tenants, has its national baseball and softball complex at Farnham Park.

The council said facilities would remain open to the public throughout the design and planning process of development.

Mr Rice said: "We are committed to a long-term partnership that enhances and future-proofs the recreational and sporting value of South Buckinghamshire Golf Course and Farnham Park.  

“Our vision is founded on three key pillars: community access, sporting excellence, and environmental sustainability.

“From improving grassroots and multi-sport infrastructure to developing a state-of-the-art academy and training centre, we aim to create a lasting legacy that benefits both current users and future generations. 

“We are dedicated to working openly and collaboratively with the Council, existing user groups, and the wider community to ensure that the site remains inclusive, accessible, and enriched by new investment.

“This is about safeguarding public use while unlocking new opportunities, participation, and activity for all."

Councillor Brazier said: “I am delighted to announce that Wycombe Wanderers Football Club will be the new head leaseholder for these key sites, which are protected for sport and physical activity.

“Their vision and commitment to a multi-sports hub with modern, inclusive facilities will significantly increase opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds across the community to play sport and be active.

“Their proposals for the site are subject to planning permission and consultation and engagement with existing tenants and local residents, but this is a very exciting step forward and promises a very bright future for the much-loved playing fields and golf course.”