Sevenoaks open community centre as clubs turn to pitches and ground deals

Sevenoaks Town officially unveiled the Greatness Football & Community Centre and a new clubhouse this week, with chairman Paul Lansdale speaking at the ceremony. On the pitch, the Oaks beat Eastbourne Town 5-0 through a Courtney Barrington hat-trick and two from Nathan Jeche. "A consistent performance, which is what pleased me the most," manager Marcel said afterwards. "We were victorious because we were very, very clinical."

Pitches are taking up much of the spending. AFC Sudbury have launched a £250,000 fundraising drive to replace their stadium surface. AFC Portchester's 3G installation at The OnSite Group Stadium has moved to its next stage of works.

Not every club is building on ground it holds. Biggleswade, who groundshare with Bedford Town at The Eyrie, have launched a petition campaign as part of an effort to return to a permanent home in Biggleswade.

Ground naming and facility upgrades have also been completed. Poole Town's home, formerly Tatnam Stadium, is now the Clear Group Stadium with immediate effect under a two-year naming rights deal with Clear Group Management. Bashley's main stand has been officially renamed The Mike Cranidge Stand; the family of the late Mike Cranidge were guests at the club's 3-1 Hampshire Senior Cup win over Southampton, choosing Jack Lovell as player of the match. Sittingbourne have announced investment in new LED floodlights.

Two boardrooms also shifted. Alex Shteriev of Go North Ventures Inc. has discussed his majority shareholder acquisition of Lancaster City, while Plymouth Parkway have signed Heads of Terms with MEC Study Group, beginning a process towards a new club structure.