Slough Town secure 30-year lease for town's community sports hub

The most substantial piece of infrastructure news this week came from Slough Town, who have secured a 30-year lease on Tamblyn Fields at Upton Court Park with the intention of creating a Community Sports Hub for the town. Chief executive Ashley Smith set out plans that extend well beyond the first team, including supporting the growth of junior football in the area from 25 teams to 50, alongside other community facilities. A three-decade lease is the sort of security few clubs at this level ever get hold of, and it changes what a club can realistically plan for.

Sevenoaks Town marked the official opening of the new Greatness Football & Community Centre, the latest stage in a build-out at Greatness Park that already has a new clubhouse in use — the club screened Czechia against England there, with the bar open from 4.30pm and Pukka Pies on offer. Smaller in scale but no less satisfying, Immingham Town announced that the floodlights at Woodlands are working again for the first time in more than 30 years.

Not every story this week was about building. Hythe Town have agreed a ground-sharing arrangement with National League South side Folkestone Invicta, with all remaining 2026/27 home fixtures to be played at The Alcaline Stadium because of ongoing problems with the 3G pitch installation at Reachfields.

At Chester, the focus is on diversifying what the ground does. The club gave a detailed update on the proposed padel development at the Deva Community Stadium following planning permission granted in July 2026, confirming that Pick Padel Ltd are working with Padel Sheds on the project, which is intended to operate under the Padel Sheds brand, with planning conditions still being discharged. That sits alongside the Deva Community Stadium partnership scheme, which has drawn in Swettenham Chemists as its first Gold Partner, Metlab Supplies and T&L Leasing as Bronze Partners, and lifelong supporter Martin Williams as a Silver Partner. General manager Albert Davies said the stadium "is much more than a football ground – it's a community hub that plays an important role throughout the year".

Elsewhere, AFC Stoneham have renamed their ground the Dolphin Motorhomes Stadium as part of a continued sponsorship relationship, while Farnborough issued a statement seeking a sale of, or investment in, the club.