Maidenhead United: Council maintains stance on stadium move plan

Maidenhead United wants to move from its York Road ground

Fans of a non-league football club have been left disappointed after a council decision to halt its planned relocation was upheld.

Maidenhead United had planned to move from its York Road home following a deal to acquire land at Braywick Park.

A fans' petition urging a rethink attracted more than 2,000 signatures.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead's cabinet maintained its decision to block the land's release over concerns about the loss of space.

Maidenhead United had originally reached a deal with the Royal Borough's council in 2022 to acquire the land for a reported sum of £460,000.

But the authority's cabinet resolved to stop the release of the land at a meeting in July, after deciding it was not worth the loss of open space.

York Road is believed to be the oldest senior football ground in the world to be continually used by the same club

The club's current ground at York Road is believed to be the oldest senior football ground in the world to be continually used by the same club.

The club said in October it had been "left up in the air" by the council's move and that it would take legal action for breach of contract.

The National League club had planned to move to Braywick Park for a new community stadium with "associated astroturfs, athletics, futsal, disabled sport and wellbeing facilities".

A petition urging the council to reconsider, saying the plan had "significant community benefit", topped 2,000 signatures.

Addressing a meeting of the cabinet, fan Shay Bottomley said allowing the move to go ahead would provide "new multi-million pound facilities at no cost to the council or the taxpayer".

"The fundamental basis of what we are discussing is whether we want to take a positive step in the right direction regarding the future of our town, or let a neglected section of Braywick sports and recreation ground continue in emptiness," he said.

The club wants to move to a site at Braywick Park

Resident Douglas Watts, whose counter petition attracted more than 1,000 signatures, said Braywick was the wrong location.

"This decision threatens amenities like a free running track, a children's play area, a popular gym, and facilities used by the rugby club," he said.

"There are clear alternatives for progress without sacrificing our community essence and open space."

Following the decision not to reverse the council's position to not release the land, leader Simon Werner said it had been a "tough decision".

"Whichever way we go, we're going to upset people, but now we've made the decision and it's really important for me to move forward with this," he said.