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Winchester City FC stadium redevelopment confirmed

Written by Harry Robinson
Last Update: November 16, 2023
Published on

Winchester City FC are celebrating after their plans to redevelop the Charters Community Stadium have been unanimously approved by the local council.

The Southern League Division One side announced the news triumphantly on X in November 2023.

Winchester City FC stadium redevelopment plans

So, what do the stadium redevelopment plans included? Well, the headlines are an artificial pitch, floodlighting and relocated stands.

An all-weather artificial pitch will reduce fixture cancellations and thus fixture congestion and allow other events and matches to be held at the Charters Community Stadium.

New floodlighting comes with obvious benefits, while increased space for spectators – the stadium currently has only a 180-seater stand – is crucial.

Also being introduced are team shelters, improved access for cars and other vehicles, toilet units, fencing and improvements to the area's biodiversity. Assessing biodiversity is often a key hurdle for non-league clubs to surmount, with community residents keen to emphasise its importance. It's a testament to Winchester's planning that they've managed to achieve this, then.

Winchester City FC stadium redevelopment plans

What's the Winchester stadium like now?

The Charters Community Stadium currently has a 180-seater stand and a fantastic, typical non-league small sheltered area called the ‘Bus Shelter'. That's behind one of the goals, and the ‘Bus Shelter Band' has played in there in the past.

For context, the Winchester stadium is about 12 miles from Southampton FC's St. Mary's Stadium.

Who will play at the redeveloped Winchester City stadium?

Winchester City FC, for starters, but also the Winchester City Flyers, a women's and girl's club.

How is the Winchester City FC stadium redevelopment being funded?

Funding is expected to come from a variety of sources, including the Winchester City Council and the Football Foundation. The total cost could be as much as £1m.

Why have you heard of Winchester City before?

Well, you might have actually heard of ‘Winchester FC', a name that went viral after French footballing star Ousmane Dembele announced his intention to take ‘Winchester FC' to the Premier League on Football Manager.

Winchester City appreciated the new global fame and sent a replica shirt across the English Channel. Their Wikipedia page after the incident even listed Ousmane Dembele as a founder of the club!

Anyway, Dembele is not in fact a founder of Winchester City FC. The club instead has a team of incredibly hard working members of staff who have done a fantastic job in creating the plans for a stadium redevelopment, and they should be applauded for their determination.

Fan reaction to Winchester City FC stadium redevelopment