New era for clubs with stadium move next week

MELKSHAM’S football and rugby clubs will play their first fixtures at the brand new £7million Oakfields ground next Saturday, 14th January.

The years-long wait for committees, players and fans is almost over as Melksham Town FC and Melksham RFC are expecting to move into the new facility in a matter of days.

Melksham Town are set to take on  league leaders Bristol Manor Farm next Saturday at 3pm, and Melksham RFC are preparing for their fixture against Bradford on Avon at 2.15pm.

Excitement is running high for the hotly anticipated move to the new ground, which marks the start of a new era for the  clubs.

Football club chairman Dave Wiltshire confirmed the club was expecting to complete the handover this week and play next Saturday’s match at Oakfields.

“This is a massive step forward for Melksham Town,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to moving into the new stadium and will be working hard to get everything ready for the first game.

“The facility is totally different to what we’re used to and unlike anything we see when we travel to play other teams at this level.

“The ground will further enhance our club at all levels and the ambition is to get the first team promoted. Whether that’s achievable this year we will wait and see, but we’re certainly working towards it.”

Melksham Town, second in the Toolstation Premier League, will take on leaders Bristol Manor Farm in a clash of two of the division’s strongest sides.

People who bought a ticket for the Manchester United Legends game and still have the stub, will get free entry to the game.

Dave added, “We anticipate the first game will be a really busy day. Boxing Day was phenomenal and about 500 people turned up; we’re expecting to see three times that and hope everyone will come down and see what the club’s all about.”

Melksham Rugby Club, fourth in the Dorset and Wilts 1 North league, will play fifth-placed local rivals Bradford on Avon as the teams battle to get into the top three.

Chairman Pat Holtom said, “We’re expecting to play our first game on 14th January and everybody’s looking forward to the move. It’s a great opportunity for the whole club and a huge change; this new facility is amazing

“At the moment we only have one pitch and no changing rooms of our own. But eventually we’ll have three full-size pitches which means we can have everyone in the same place at the same time.

“We haven’t been able to grow the club in the past because there just wasn’t room. Now Oakfields is up there with the best grounds in the county and we can’t wait to get started.”