AFC Portchester’s dream of having their own 3G pitch in The OnSite Group Stadium has just taken a massive step closer to reality.
Planning permission has now been received for the project which will see a state-of-the-art all-weather pitch installed as the stadium’s new pitch.
Club officials are now working towards starting construction of the key new facility once the current season has been completed.
Works would then be carried out next summer with the hope being the first matches would be played on the new 3G pitch sometime at the beginning of the 2026-27 season.
Chairman Paul Kelly welcomed the planning decision which was the culmination of almost a decade’s work behind the scenes at the club.
He explained: “The idea of getting a 3G pitch for the club is something that was first raised nearly ten years ago. It was something Steve Woods was involved in and that was when we first started talking about our future ideas with Fareham Borough Council.
“Since the Covid-19 pandemic the 3G pitch plan has really gathered pace and after being identified as a site where a 3G facility was needed in a Football Foundation report, we have been working closely with the foundation and Hampshire FA to develop our dream into firm plans.
“After a busy 12 months of meetings and assessments of the stadium site we were able to submit a formal planning application.
“I’m delighted the 3G pitch plan has now been given the green light by planners and we can now work towards this scheme getting under way in the summer so hopefully the first matches will be played on it early next season.
“A 3G pitch has been in the pipeline for our club for a long time – it has taken a lot of hard work to get this over the line but the impact it will have on all areas of AFC Portchester will be massive.
“On and off the pitch these are exciting times for our club and the 3G pitch is the next vital piece in place for our plans for the future.”
The installation of the 3G pitch will mean many of the club’s teams will now be able to come ‘home’ again for their training and matches.
Such is the demand for training slots on all-weather pitches across the local area, some of Portchester’s teams are having to use 3G pitch facilities in Fareham and Havant for mid-week training.
Not only will the majority of the training sessions be moved to The OnSite Group Stadium for the club’s teams once the 3G pitch has been installed, more teams will be able to play their matches inside the stadium too.
AFC Portchester’s finance director, Trevor Deacon, believes the introduction of a 3G pitch inside the stadium will have a huge, positive impact on the club.
He said: “Everyone is hugely excited by the news that the 3G pitch has won planning permission. We set out a vision for the future of the club a few years ago and the 3G pitch project was a huge part of those plans for the development of the club.
“The all-weather pitch means our youth and adult teams will be able to train in the stadium during the week and at weekends more youngsters will get the opportunity to play their matches where our men’s and ladies first teams are playing too.
“Our academy will be based at the stadium and this will allow us to grow our education and player development offerings too.
“The 3G pitch will also allow us to grow into areas which haven’t been possible before – offering more girls and ladies football, sessions for disabled players, working with local schools and community groups. The new possibilities the 3G pitch will bring are almost endless.
“This project will also produce new opportunities for further enhancements in and around the stadium and we will be assessing these and looking at ways we can take these forward too.
“The introduction of a 3G pitch at The OnSite Group Stadium is a crucial piece of infrastructure that not only underpins the sustainability of the club but it will play a huge part in our future growth and development too.”
