Football project set to score amid Ringwood Town Council, Ringwood Football Club and AFC Bournemouth partnership deal

AN ambitious project in Ringwood which will link the town’s club with AFC Bournemouth is set to kick off under a new partnership deal.

Up to £1m of funding could be secured by the agreement made between AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust, which is the Championship club's charitable arm, and Ringwood Town Council and Ringwood Football Club.

They intend to develop the local side’s Long Lane facilities with a new, full-sized 3G artificial turf pitch (ATP), make improvements to existing grass pitches, redevelop the car park and build a new pavilion with changing rooms that could feature a café and rooms for community groups.

Phil King, Ringwood Town FC chair, was "thrilled", saying: "This is such an important milestone."

He added: "We are working so closely together with AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust, Ringwood Town Council, New Forest District Council and the Football Foundation to deliver facilities fit for the modern age, financially sustainable, the club and people of Ringwood can be proud of.

"We’ll have the opportunity to fulfil our aspirations of providing football to all and developing players whether you’re six or 60.

"We have an existing arrangement with AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust that is fantastic with many of our youngsters able to experience their coaching expertise and improve their own skills. This partnership will help take it to a whole new level."

An application for planning permission at the site will be submitted soon to NFDC.

AFC Bournemouth’s head of community, Steve Cuss, said it was a "hugely exciting and innovative development" which is supported by NFDC, the Football Foundation and Hampshire County FA.

He added: "Being able to bring together a number of community programmes at a dedicated site will ensure we continue to engage the local community and offer programmes from young to old."

As reported in the A&T, the plans were first announced before lockdown but have been delayed for questions over land ownership to be resolved, while councillors also wanted a better look at potential costings.

Ringwood mayor Cllr Tony Ring said the town council had long "cherished" an ambition to improve the football facilities, adding: "I am delighted that a way has now been found to secure these and that there will soon be capacity for more teams and a greater diversity of provision.

"This is a complicated project involving numerous organisations working together to a common end but I am convinced that the result will be a clear win for the people of Ringwood."

The plans will be revealed at two drop-in events at Long Lane on Friday 16th July 10am-midday and Saturday 17th July 9.30am-midday.