New artificial pitch could be ‘game changer’ for football club

Windsor & Eton Football Club is looking to install a state-of-the-art 3G pitch at Stag Meadow in a move which could be a ‘game changer’.

The club has been on a rapid rise up the non-league pyramid since it launched in 2023.

It holds a 25-year lease at Stag Meadow from The Crown Estate and has set itself a goal of building a ‘sustainable, inclusive future’ for football in Windsor.

As part of this mission, Windsor & Eton wants to replace its grass pitch with an artificial 3G surface which can be used by its men’s, women’s and youth teams all year round as well as the wider community.

The club has launched a campaign calling on residents to #backthepitch and #backthekids as discussions continue with Windsor and Maidenhead council over the project.

A statement said: “Right now, over 600 local boys and girls play football across a patchwork of sites in Windsor and Eton, many of which are poorly maintained or unavailable in bad weather or after dark.

“This limits our ability to offer consistent, inclusive football for young people, women and girls and community groups year-round.”

The club reiterated the need for a new artificial pitch by pointing to the council’s sports and leisure strategy which states there is currently a shortfall of two full-size 3G pitches in Windsor – set to rise to three in the future.

Stag Meadow was recommended as a site for 3G development in the borough’s playing pitch strategy published in 2023.

Windsor and Eton said the introduction of an artificial pitch will provide a long overdue permanent home for its 50 youth teams, expand access for schools and support new teams and programmes for women and girls, disability football and later years.

The club added: “By installing a 3G pitch at Stag Meadow, we can bring our football community together – from grassroots to senior level – in one vibrant and inclusive space.”

Men’s captain Ben Hutchings said: “This new pitch doesn’t just benefit the senior teams at Windsor & Eton, as the captain of the men’s team I know it will be a massive benefit to the community and youth/junior teams.

“It will bring everyone closer and continues to advocate the togetherness of the football team and the wider Windsor community.

“For me it’s a massive game changer.”

Those who ‘Back the Pitch’ say that women’s football in particular is ‘growing in strength and popularity’ and the change will help inspire more girls and women to get involved.

To deliver its vision, Windsor & Eton is working with The Crown Estate, RBWM, The Football Foundation and Berks & Bucks Football Association, among others.

Stevie Romney, WEFC’s women’s captain, said: “This new pitch will provide more opportunities for local female athletes to showcase their talent, and strengthen community engagement through football.

“It’s about representation and giving women and girls of all ages in Windsor the chance to participate and excel in the sport they love.”

WEFC is now preparing to submit a full planning submission to RBWM later this year.

This will look at transport and parking – to manage the increased activity – flood risk and drainage, the impact on wildlife and the impact of upgraded LED lights.

New LED floodlighting will ‘reduce light spill’, the club says.

Meanwhile, the pitch layout will remain the same, and there will be new planting on-site to replace some of the biodiversity impact of losing the current grass surface.

The club is holding consultation for residents on September 10 from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at Stag Meadow.

A petition has also been launched on change.org where community members can add their voice to the campaign for a new artificial pitch.

For more information, go to wefc.co.uk/consultation