Brewery Field Ground Developments Set To Begin

To participate in the Vanarama National League North play-offs, the stadium must be ‘Grade B’ standard, which will be achieved by the deadline of 31st March 2018.

A strong first half of the season has left the newly-promoted Moors sitting proudly in fifth position in the National League North. If they continue to perform to that standard in the second half of the season, a play-off berth is a significant possibility.

To prepare for that eventuality, the ground’s capacity will exceed 3,000 by 31st March, with the ability to go to 5,000 with further modifications over the next 12 to 18 months. Work begins on Monday.

Phase One of the developments will see the North-East wall on the right of the Wood Vue turnstiles moved back to engulf the current officials’ car park and provide essential extra capacity. There will also be four new spectator entrances installed on that side of Wood Vue, taking the total to eight spectator entrances – ‘Grade A’ standard. This will ease any congestion and queueing on Wood Vue in the short term and allow more spectators to enter the ground more efficiently.

A new female-only officials’ changing room will be created within the Ramside Estates Main Stand. The ground’s three sets of spectator toilets are already ‘Grade A’ standard in relation to the ground’s capacity.

The ground’s dugouts will also be replaced with two 11-seater dugouts and an extra four-seater to accommodate officials.

The most dramatic development will see 503 new seats added to the stand at the North-East end of the ground, behind the goal, taking The Brewery Field’s seated capacity to 753 (Grade A). This stand is currently all-standing, but will round off the Phase One developments by becoming seated.

Spennymoor Town will not charge any extra for the use of any of the 753 seats in the ground. They will continue to be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Phase Two will take place from May 2018 with plans to increase the capacity to beyond 5,000. This will involve new higher terracing/canopy stands at the South East and South West sides of the ground.

Other Phase Two developments being considered include the erection of a new two-storey club-house in the North-East corner; a reduction in the severity of the incline on the playing surface; the installation of an irrigation, sprinkler and drainage system to aid ground maintenance; and a totally new and improved perimeter fence around the field.

Bradley Groves, Chief Executive of Spennymoor Town FC, said: “We made significant improvements to the stadium and our match day experience at the start of this season in preparation for life at this level. We’re now surpassing all expectations on the pitch, which is making life in the National League a real possibility, so we have to prepare effectively for a possible place in the play-offs.

“The feedback on our new Platinum Club suite and catering additions around the ground has been very positive. We now offer some of the best hospitality in the National League North.

“Following my Christmas update issued on 21st December 2017, I’m pleased to be able to share more about some of the exciting developments we have planned.

“Our master plan for The Brewery Field will ultimately see us make the jump to ‘Grade A’. The Phase One plans will be complete before 31 March, allowing us to take part in the play-offs should we reach them. The finer details of Phase Two are still being confirmed. They will be shared before the end of the season (May 2018), but will go ahead regardless of the division Spennymoor are playing in next season.”

“As always, we’ll work with the local authorities and the residents in the surrounding areas, so the relevant permissions are sought.

“It has taken a considerable amount of work behind the scenes to reach this point and it’s intersecting with a number of other major developments. We are down to a shortlist of three exceptional candidates for our newly-created Managing Director role and we hope to have the successful candidate in-post by April. Following our earlier news release, I am also speaking to potential investors to help us continue our upward momentum.

“I think these developments show just how much effort and investment we are putting into taking all aspects of this football club to the next level. We need to make the whole match day experience as enjoyable and professional as possible for our loyal supporters and to attract bigger attendances as we continue to increase the stature of Spennymoor Town FC”.