Newbury ready to paint town red with new era

Football in Newbury has had an interesting history since Newbury Town pushed up the divisions and reached an FA Vase Quarter Final in the mid-1990s before folding in 1995.

The club’s history takes in some big names in the modern game, including current Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, Steve Kean (famous for a less said about the better spell at Blackburn Rovers), former Reading and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Stuart Beavon as well as ex-Portsmouth striker Guy Whittingham.

Since 1995, several attempts to rejuvenate senior football in West Berkshire’s largest town have taken place. New teams, promotions and the loss of the club’s famous Faraday Road ground have been the story of the last three decades, one not unfamiliar to followers of the non-league game.

Where should a town with a population around 40,000 sit in the men’s non-league football pyramid? It’s hard to know pinpoint but there’s certainly an argument it should be higher than Step 7 where the club currently play their football – and that is only after a reprieve following a dismal 2024/25 campaign that saw the Newbury finish bottom of the Thames Valley Premier League Premier Division.

What will the future hold? The club are back at Faraday Road, the club’s most successful recent manager Danny Langford is now the chairman and crucially the team appear to have the backing of the Liberal Democrat led council – in fact it was in the parties top three pledges in the election manifesto that saw them oust the Conservative Party in the 2024 General Election.

You only have to look at Enterprise National League side Maidenhead United to see how important that particular point is.

A statement released by the club on the news era suggests there is plenty of enthusiasm in the town and within the club:

A new era of football begins at Faraday Road on the 30th August, with a newly revamped and re-launched Newbury Town (Football Club), led by new Chairman Danny Langford.

As well as the change of name back to Newbury Town, a new home kit launch and a change of colour (to red from amber & black), a revamped committee has been driving the changes at the local football club. Behind the scenes, Newbury Town have been working closely with Newbury Community Football Group (NCFG) and West Berkshire Council to ensure the ground has maintained its FA Step 7 Ground Grading status and have also announced an exciting partnership with Hillen’s Kitchen for match-day food.

The Club has also applied for its own alcohol licence. “We want to return a proper match-day experience at Faraday Road,” says Danny.

“We have amazing support locally and we want to make sure our supporters have a great experience both on and off the pitch this season.”

Last season was not the homecoming the Club had hoped for, finishing bottom of the Thames Valley Premier League and only being able to play at Faraday Road from November. The Club had very limited hospitality facilities, which made it hard to attract back the calibre of players needed to compete at this level.

Fortunately, Newbury avoided relegation due to some structural changes in the league and will continue to play at Step 7. With the new team management structure in place, led by Manager Carl Jenner – a highly experienced and respected coach who will be supported by two fantastic coaches, Luke Gray and Rob Smith – the Club has been able to once again attract top local talent back to the squad.

Carl Jenner says: “We’ve already announced some fantastic marquee signings such as Jake Allen, Jack North, Jordan Seward, Kallum Thomas and many more. All these incomings have been discussed and overseen by James O’Doherty, the new Director of Football at the Club. And I’m really excited about what this team can achieve this season. We are ambitious and hungry for success.”

With such dramatic progress made in such a short space of time, things are really looking up for Newbury. After the previous devastating eviction from Faraday Road Football Ground in 2018 and the forced relegation that followed from not having a home ground, the road back has been tough and challenging. Only thanks to dedicated volunteers and loyal supporters has the Club survived to see its eventual revival.

Working hand in hand with the new committee has been Newbury Community Football Group (NCFG), who represent some of the key local football clubs in Newbury in relation to Faraday Road. Working with West Berkshire Council, spokesman Lee McDougall said: “The changes in the Club since May have been truly transformational, and I am delighted to see the hard work over many years by NCFG and the local community finally paying off. We still need a full football stadium returned to Faraday Road, and we are continuing to work with West Berkshire Council to drive the next stage of development of the ground – a full-size 3G pitch which the whole community can use and enjoy.”

While the developments of the ground haven’t gone as quickly as hoped in some areas, West Berkshire Council under the Liberal Democrat administration has kept its manifesto promise to bring football back to Faraday Road and still plans to build a 3G pitch at the ground as well as replace the temporary changing rooms with a new Club House.

“We are really grateful to West Berks Council,” says Danny. “The progress and support has been fantastic, but it’s important to recognise that Faraday Road is now a community ground and I personally am delighted to see youth football being played there every Sunday by AFC Newbury Boys and Girls and CSA 007.”

The first fixture for the team is on the 30th August against Wokingham Town Reserves and, fittingly, it’s at home at Faraday Road Football Ground. While last-minute repairs and improvements to the pitch and ground are underway, Danny Langford is planning to mark the occasion with a bang! “We want the opening day game to be a real celebration of local football and a thank-you to all those loyal supporters who have stuck with us over the recent challenging years. We are planning a fun day and would ask as many people as possible to come and join us and cheer us on. As well as high-quality food from Hillen’s Kitchen and a fully licensed bar, there will be entertainment for the children, a penalty shootout and team mascots to make it a real family day—so please come and join us!”