Whitstable Town to install £600,000 3G pitch at Belmont ahead of next season

WHITSTABLE TOWN have announced that they will be installing a 3G FIFA Quality Pro surface at The Belmont this summer, along with new floodlights, dugouts, fencing and pathways.

A club statement said: “After a lengthy process with Canterbury City Council, the Environment Agency and Sport England - and with finance covering the £600,000 budget now in place, including a grant from the Football Foundation - the club has appointed Velocity as the contractor, who will commence work on 16th May. Work on the new 3G pitch will be completed well in time for the 2022/23 competitive season.

“The new pitch will, of course, allow much greater use of the Belmont sporting facility, which will greatly benefit the youth teams, Academy, reserves and over 50s walking football, as well as providing a permanent training base for the first team itself.

“Our local community will also benefit from being able to use the pitch. The youth and community pitch hire income and increased hospitality revenue will provide financial sustainability and ensure a long-term future for the club.”

Whitstable Town’s chairman Steve Clayton added: “This is a huge step forward for the club. I want to thank my fellow directors, Joe Boniface of Velocity, and the Football Foundation, for their support that was crucial to ensuring the project's success.

“Sincere thanks must also go to the Investors who have been prepared to come on board and be part of this enormously exciting project.

“The current directors and I are simply custodians of this fantastic club. Still, we want to ensure that future generations, whether they play or watch and support, will be able to enjoy a sporting hub of excellence for many decades to come.

“The club still have a little way to go in providing all we need. We are now turning to local businesses and our community to ask for contributions to fund a new set of goals and essential maintenance equipment.”

The Isthmian League South East Division club have launched an online fundraiser in a bid to raise £10,000.

Whitstable Town remain rooted to the foot of the Isthmian League South East Division table, having collected 30 points and have three games remaining to pull off the Great Escape.

The Oysterman welcome Faversham Town to Belmont Road tomorrow (13:00), before travelling to sixth-placed side Ramsgate on Easter Monday and complete their campaign at home to fellow strugglers Lancing on Saturday 23 April.

Phoenix Sports -  who play at home to Lancing tomorrow – are second-from-bottom in the table on 30 points with three games remaining, while Lancing sit in the points-per-game zone on 33.

Whitehawk (35) and East Grinstead Town (37) have a couple of games left to play.

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.club