WINCHESTER City Football Club are starting the new season at the home of the Hampshire FA 20 miles away as work to finish its new artificial pitch is complete. 

The club's Charters Community Stadium, in Abbots Barton, had plans approved last year for a 3G pitch, floodlighting, new and relocated stands, storage container, vehicle access replacement and re-surfacing of the parking area.

The proposal was widely welcomed with 112 supporting comments.

However, the work has been delayed due to the bad weather meaning the pitch won't be ready until the start of September. 

Home games against Gosport Borough on August 18 and Dorchester Town on August 28 will be played at the Winklebury Football Complex in Basingstoke.

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Work on the Charters Community Stadium (Image: John Moody)

They played there against Wimborne Town on August 14. 

Matt Richbell, from Winchester City FC, said: “The pitch has now been laid, there are the final works being carried out. The club is due to return to the Charters Community Stadium at the start of September, all being well. It was originally planned that the club would be there ready for the start of the season, but the weather delayed the return. 

“Therefore, city's first three games are taking place at Winklebury, home of the Hampshire FA. The club is very grateful for the support of the Hampshire FA in this.”

Winchester City FC and women's teams from the Winchester City Flyers will be using the refurbished facility. The scheme has been in the pipeline for some time, with funding for it coming, in part, from Winchester City Council and the Football Foundation. The total cost is expected to be around £1m.

Winchester City FC currently play in the Southern League Premier Division South after winning promotion in 2022.