Through the sale of their existing ground for redevelopment, Wimborne Town FC secured significant funding from Wyatt Homes towards a new ground complete with natural turf match pitch, 3G training pitch and clubhouse.
Experienced in the delivery of club relocation projects, the club and developer turned to S&C Slatter to design and deliver the state-of-the-art new facility.
With an infamous ‘slope’ in their match pitch and no training facility on-site, Wimborne Town FC’s former Cuthbury ground was limiting the club’s ambitions for growth.
“Twice a week we’d be at two different locations training, which was hard work.”
– James Stokoe, First Team Manager, Wimborne Town FC
When Wyatt Homes approached the Magpies with an offer to purchase their ground for residential development, they saw an opportunity to specify a brand new home suited to their requirements – which would support the future of the club as well as the local community.
Developer funded relocation can be a complicated process, involving a variety of design and planning considerations. Having previously delivered a similar project at Ringmer AFC and a number of multi-facility sites, Wyatt Homes and Wimborne Town turned to S&C Slatter to design and construct their new playing ground.
Our dedicated Design & Planning team supported the club in securing planning permission and created the site-wide design and layout for the New Cuthbury to best support the club’s needs. Currently playing in the Southern League Premier South, Wimborne’s new ground is designed to the FA’s Sports Ground Grading C specification – suitable for the National League system – ready to support the club’s growth and future ambitions.
Working with our sister company White Horse Contractors, our expert teams constructed two pitches on site: one natural turf pitch to Sport England Type 5 specification for match play, as well as a full-sized 3G training pitch. Our teams completed the site with floodlighting, fencing, footpath construction and spectator areas.
The stunning new ground, complete with new clubhouse, was officially opened in June 2021 with the local mayor, club president, chairman, commercial director and team managers in attendance.
“There’s nothing like this in Wimborne and we’re very lucky we’ve been able to achieve this. It’s been fantastic working with S&C Slatter. The process has been so smooth, we barely knew they were here it was so well managed!”
– Tony Gates, Club Chairman
By utilising the full strength of The Slatter Group’s in-house offering, the club benefited from one point of contact for the design and construction of their fantastic new playing grounds, ensuring seamless communication throughout each stage of the project.
The new facilities have enabled the club to wave goodbye to their formerly sub-standard pitch, with their 22 teams and academy now able to train and play in one location. Not only this but with the 3G pitch supporting between 60-80 playing hours per week, the club generates revenue and supports the local community through pitch hire – the new pitch was 75% booked before it even opened!
“To see a stadium like this for a non-league club is beyond belief really. It’s top draw. I had been to the old ground… but this ground is another level. It makes you want to play football again.”
– Harry Redknapp, Wimborne Town FC Club Patron
S&C Slatter has extensive experience in sports club relocation.
With in-house expertise across design, planning, construction and maintenance, we’ll take care of the process from start to finish. Get in touch to talk to our team.
Call 01635 34521 or email info@sandcslatter.com
