Football club revive move from historic ground

A football club has revived plans to move from its historic ground to a new stadium.

Maidenhead United have played at York Road since 1871, which is thought to be the oldest senior football ground in the world to be continually used by the same club.

But chairman Peter Griffin said it is no longer fit for purpose and the National League South club want to move to Maidenhead's Braywick Park.

A previous move was pulled after the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead blocked the site's release due to concerns about the loss of space in 2023.

Mr Griffin said a move from the current site, that he said is "penned in" by other developments, is critical to the club's future: "With a heavy heart we have to look elsewhere. It's been a brilliant, historic ground but it's just not fit for purpose."

He said Braywick Park would be a "brilliant location" and would enhance the town's offering with the leisure centre and athletics and rugby clubs already based there.

"For us it represents an absolutely brilliant move but for the town we think it's a fantastic opportunity to have what's an amazing sports hub right in the town centre," Mr Griffin said.

"What we're trying to do is secure the club for the next 150 years. We have had a great time [at York Road] but this is about the future generations to enjoy and for all the kids' teams we run and all the community activities we run. If they're going to continue, we have to move."

Mr Griffin said public engagement over the plans will take place throughout January.