A day to remember as clubs kick off at impressive new home

MELKSHAM’S new sports ground was buzzing with excitement last Saturday when more than a thousand local people turned out for the grand opening of Oakfields.

Both Melksham Town FC and Melksham Rugby Club played their first matches at the £7.3million stadium and grounds in front of record-breaking crowds.

Unfortunately neither club was able to mark the historic day with a win, but the results didn’t dampen spirits on the day.

The new state-of-the-art facility marks the end of a years-long wait and the start of a new era for the two clubs which will share the new facility.

Melksham Town FC now has one of the best stadiums and club facilities of any club at their level in the south west while Melksham RFC has tripled its pitch space, has its own bar and function area for the first time, and is expecting to start new girls’, women’s and veterans’ teams in the near future.

Melksham Town FC lost 5-3 in their FA Vase knockout game against the formidable Bristol Manor Farm.

Chairman Dave Wiltshire said, “I was very pleased with how the day went. We didn’t get the result we wanted and I don’t think the players did themselves justice, but it was superb to see so many people turn out to support the club.

“We had 1,215 people come through the gates; it was a bit scary compared to what we’re used to!

“Officials from the league came and said they were really impressed with how smoothly the day went, so that was pleasing. There were a few teething problems – which is understandable on the first day – but the feedback from fans was tremendous.

“The stand is totally different from the Conigre and is a huge boost for the whole club. The income from pitchside advertising boards means that this season, for the first time for many years, we are able to pay our first team players.

“We have also applied for promotion from the Toolstation league, though it’ll be a lot of work to get past Bristol Manor Farm to make it this season.”

Town won the league last season but could not be promoted because the old ground was not up to the level required.

Melksham RFC lost 33-19 to a tough Bradford on Avon side in the Dorset & Wilts 1 North league.

Melksham RFC chairman, Pat Holtom said, “Saturday was a great day; the club was packed all day and we had a lot of interest. Fans and players were really impressed with the new facility.

“It definitely helped having the football and rugby clubs in the same place; we had football fans come over and watch the rugby as well, which was brilliant.

“There were about 300 to 400 people there, whereas we normally get around 100. We saw some old players as well as some new faces, it was just a shame we didn’t get the results!

“We can start building for the future now and we’re hoping the new facility will attract more people to the club. It’s a huge difference from our old ground and we’d like to see people who travel to other towns to play to come back to Melksham.

“We have plans to start up a girls’ team, women’s team and one for veterans, and we have a lot more room to grow.”

The keys to the ground were handed over by Wiltshire Council bosses on Tuesday 10th January. The council now expects to move on to the next stage of the campus project.

Wiltshire councillor and cabinet member for campuses, John Thomson said, “It’s fantastic this wonderful new facility is complete and ready for use. We have committed significant investment into Melksham to deliver this new sports facility, the Market Place re-development, a new skate park and a health and wellbeing centre for the Melksham community.

“Woolmore Farm is the first phase of this project and the improvements to the Market Place start this month, and work to provide the new skate park will start in April.”