It’s been 20 years since Wokingham Town left Finchampstead Road but this week the Sumas new floodlights heralded the culmination of a two decade fight to bring football back to the borough permanently.
Wokingham & Emmbrook were formed in 2004 from a merger of Town and Emmbrook Sports and have endured a nomadic existence playing home games in four counties and countless different grounds since the sale of their home.
Now though, the Berkshire side – who have also played in Buckinghamshire, Surrey and Oxfordshire will be able to play from their base at Lowther Road as the project to ensure the ground is suitable for step 6 football nears completion.
On Friday night, the club held a ceremonial switch on of its new floodlights by long serving supporter Richard Croydon.
Watch the light switch on here:
And then there was light 🔦 pic.twitter.com/4gN6iJ6XTY
— Wokingham & Emmbrook (@wokingham_sumas) June 8, 2019
Club President Mark Ashwell said a few words before the switch on after the Sumas presentation evening. He said: “Turning the lights on is Richard Croydon who has supported Wokingham For nearly 70 years, he is going to turn this on. If he puts out half of Emmbrook [turns to Richard] just don’t put out the Rifle Volunteer!”
It looks though like the lights went on without a hitch!
Speaking to Football in Bracknell, Glenn Duggleby – the Consultant Funding & Project Manager said: “The lights and 75% of hard standing are done. To come is a base for 100 seat stand, the rest of hard standing, a stand (which will be delivered and erected next week) and pitch barriers for three sides.”
Read more: A love letter to Finchampstead Road
