Redknapp to reopen AFC Portchester's £1.2m rebuilt ground

Almost six months after the diggers moved in, AFC Portchester return to competitive football at The OnSite Group Stadium on 24 October. The club say Harry Redknapp will cut the ribbon at the pitch entrance gates at around 2.55pm, five minutes before kick-off against Bedfont Sports in the Isthmian League South Central, with hospitality guests arriving from 12.30pm, turnstiles opening at 1pm and live music in the fanzone afterwards. The £1.2m 3G surface and stadium improvements will see match action for the first time, and two fixtures are scheduled across the weekend. Preparation, at least, has gone well: eight players made their debuts in a 3-0 Russell Cotes Cup win at Lymington Town, Connor Duffin scoring twice and Lee Wort adding the other.

Elsewhere the works are at an earlier stage. Oxhey Jets have been granted planning permission for a new surface and stadium. Melksham Town have been placed on the Football Foundation's schedule for March 2028 to begin installation of a 3G pitch, following a meeting with the Foundation and Wiltshire Council. At Carlton Town, Dave Hodgson met Gedling borough council at Stoke Lane as he pushes for planning permission for improvements that would allow Step 3 football there should the club go up.

Immingham Town staged their first match under the lights in more than 30 years on Tuesday at the Woodlands ground, sponsored by Elecref, who helped bring power back to the ground earlier this year. Thornton Cleveleys have renamed their home The Fox Group Sports Arena under a naming rights partnership, while Emley have agreed a deal making the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground the first-team home and matchday base of Huddersfield Town Women for the remainder of the 2026/27 season.

Off the pitch, Gosport Borough's new Pitchside Lounge is open, while Netherton United's clubhouse, The Grange, returns to the direct management of the club and reopens on Saturday 24 October. The club has asked anyone holding a booking made through the previous company to get in touch, as some may not have been passed on.

In the boardrooms, Dawley Town are under new ownership, with Dominic Western welcomed as chairman and owner and local businessman Jake Hevingham as vice-chairman; club stalwart Paul Sankey becomes club president. Bannack Wheeler has joined Cambridge City as a minority shareholder and investor, while at Kingstonian Frank is formally becoming majority shareholder and owner, with George Vasilaras remaining a shareholder, director and chairman.