DROITWICH Spa FC welcomed supporters to their newly redeveloped ground for the first time ahead of their eagerly anticipated homecoming next week.
The club have finally completed their move back to their hometown having played at Stourport Swifts’ Walshes Meadow ground for the last four years.
And their King George V Playing Fields home has been transformed into a superb facility during that time as several supporters toured the ground during an open night on Thursday evening.
Droitwich Spa FC’s new 100-seater stand. Picture by Aaron Sutcliffe.
Facilities now available to the club include an all-weather 3G pitch, grass pitch with a 100-seater stand, new dressing rooms and clubhouse/bar which shows Sky Sports.
Droitwich Spa Vice-chairman, Mark Bowen said: “We could not be happier to have a facility here now that we didn’t ever have or experience, we hope this facility will mean that some of the Droitwich talent is retained.
“The few of us that have been here since the outset have had to take a deep breath – we can’t believe that what we thought we could do has actually come off, it’s amazing.
“Being called Droitwich, it’s where we should be, it was disappointing that we had to leave the town in the first place, there were a lot of people who were not happy about that, we didn’t have much choice at the time.
“We should be here, Droitwich playing in Stourport doesn’t have the same ring to it, a Droitwich team should be playing in Droitwich with Droitwich players, we hope the town embraces it.
“The stand out there now is a 100-seater, we contemplated having two but due to finances we couldn’t stretch to that, if the support is right, there’s plenty of scope for more development.
“If we can create a revenue stream from it, by having townspeople support the club through buying tickets, sponsorship or supporting the clubhouse that will lend itself to us continually enhancing the facilities.”
The new home dressing room. Picture by Aaron Sutcliffe.
The Saltmen play their first home game at the ground on Tuesday, August 16 when they entertain Cradley Town under the lights in a 7.45pm kick-off.
And the club hope supporters will come along in their droves to mark the historic occasion with Spa currently playing at step six for the first time in their history following promotion last season.
Spa manager Andy Crowther said: “It’s still unbelievable, the 3G is brilliant, the pitch has been needed in Droitwich for ages now, to be able to call this place home is unbelievable.
“Next Tuesday, walking our from our own dressing rooms onto our own pitch is going to be an unbelievable night and hopefully there will be a good following.
“To come back to Droitwich and show people the way we play is unbelievable, we play a passing style and we want to show the people of Droitwich what we can do.
“Coming back home will give us a massive boost, I hope we can attract a couple of hundred fans each week and have a good following away from home.”
Droitwich captain James Lemon added: “It’s unbelievable, I came here as a teenager and it was just a field pretty much, it’s crazy how much it has changed after all the hard work that has gone into it.
“Finally getting to play on it this season, it’s going to be a special moment, it’s amazing, hopefully we get some good crowds and enjoy the moment.
“We’re absolutely buzzing, under the lights, it’s going to be a special night.”
Droitwich’s game with Cradley takes place on Tuesday, August 16 with kick-off at 7.45pm at King George Playing Fields in Midland Football League Division One.
