REGENERATION is on the cards for Bracknell Town FC with ambitious plans under way, which its chairman hopes will put the club "back on the map".

The plans, which are still in motion, would see the Larges Lane team's pitch upgraded to 3G artificial turf and see it shifted five metres further up, away from the road, - making room at the end of the pitch for a new housing development.

Chris Day, the club's chairman, confirmed it is still very much "early days" for the proposal, which would also see a brand new clubhouse for the team, known as The Robins. 

It was decided to make the changes to avoid relegation. 

This week Mark Tallentire was welcomed as new manager, replacing Keith Pennicott-Bowen, following the shock news that long-serving secretary Darrell 'Dudley' Freeland, had resigned.

Director Tom Canning also stood down from his role as director, though both will still continue to look after the club website, social media and producing the matchday programme.

He said: "There is no developer yet as it is still out to tender but there would be some houses and flats there.

"There will be two different planning applications put in, one for the pitch and the other for the redevelopment of the grounds, which will see us putting in an artificial pitch surface.

"The contractors were in yesterday (Tuesday, October 27) to talk things over, for example how far up the pitch should be.

"We are trying to get some more efficient flood lights in so they are not too intrusive into people's spaces.
"It is still early days though, it could all collapse if we don't get planning approval for it."

He added that representatives of Bracknell Town FC had recently attended a football summit with MP Dr Phillip Lee and other local clubs, including Binfield FC, Whitegrove FC and Sandhurst Town FC, and it was agreed there is a need for artificial pitches in the area.

He went on: "We are trying to regenerate the club's sport, by bringing in a new manager who is a local favourite.

"We are hoping to generate a bit of business by extending it, which will put us back on the map and bring us right back to where we used to be.

"For us the main thing is regeneration in making it a sustainable business. In the past, the only funds that came in were sponsorships for players and this is very much more about building a new business that is self-sustainable. 

"With an artificial pitch, we would be able to have a lot more activity and generate more of a buzz around us."

"We still need local business to support us so if people want to have their names attached to it, there is still the opportunity for them."