Welshpool Town FC officially unveiled their newly completed pitches , following years of planning and development.

On Sunday, September 3, members of Welshpool Town FC, Cymru Football Foundation, volunteers and friends of the club attending an official unveiling at the Powys town’s newly completed football pitches.

The club held a series of junior games for the youth teams and a legends match to kick off the new era.

County Times: Players gather for the first game on Welshpool FC's new pitches.

Cymru Football Fund’s Investment Manager for North and Mid Wales, Allan James, confirmed that over £80,000 had been invested in the new facilities.

He said: “It’s overwhelming to be here and see the impact of an investment like that. It’s the kind of action that can be a showcase for Mid Wales projects that are working to increase the number of girls participating in football, make more green spaces across Powys encourage more community participation.

“It’s why we do what we do.”

After losing three pitches on the outskirts of Welshpool four years ago, when Powys County Council built a new school in the land, the club has secured a lease on a large section of flat land that they have used to develop three new football pitches within walking distance of their current grounds at Maesydre.

County Times: Players practising on Welshpool Town FC's new pitches.

In 2021 club was able to secure a 25-year-long lease on the land and began developing the land with the help from a DCMS/FAW grant.

In February 2023 Welsh Secretary David TC David and Montgomeryshire MP Craig Williams visited the grounds to see the pitches as they neared completion.

Project leader Paul Coackley said at the unveiling: “It’s taken five years to get to this stage, and throughout those years I always said that I wouldn’t believe what we’ve achieved when we actually see young people playing on these pitches, which we have today.

“It’s a wonderful facility that stands as a representation of this incredible grassroots football organisation.”

The pitches have been named Wayne Evans Playing Fields in memory of the former club legend who passed away earlier in the summer.

County Times: The unveiled sign for Wayne Evans Playing Fields.

Welshpool FC club secretary Eva Bredsdorff was also present at the unveiling and added: “It’s absolutely amazing, especially considering how much work has gone into the project and that it’s something that will last. We’re unveiling facilities that will be around for many years to come.

“We’ve had so much help from various people organising funding and volunteering their time to make all this happen. I’m so glad that many of those people can be present today to see it finally become a reality.”