MIDLAND League Division Two outfit Feckenham have netted a new home after a deal was struck for them to move to Redditch United’s Trico Stadium.
The Millers were firmly in the promotion picture before their season was declared null and void due to the pandemic but this open-ended move to share the Reds’ home is a timely boost as they prepare for the start of the 2020/21 campaign, whenever that may be.
Whilst reaching the final of the Worcestershire County Cup, Feckenham were in a promising position in Division Two with just three defeats to their name, but the wet winter experienced up and down the country meant the Millers had only managed to play 16 league fixtures – just over half of their league games.
Despite having so many games in hand, the extra backlog may have hampered their promotion push.
Thanks to the benefits of the 3G surface at Redditch United, Feckenham – who previously played at the Entaco in Studley – will have no such issues in the new season as they push to gain promotion to step six.
Feckenham chairman Tony Round said: “We’re delighted to have reached an agreement to play our home games at the Trico Stadium, as we see this move as the next step in the club’s evolution as we look to develop the club both on and off the pitch.
“The ground has some of the best facilities in the area and will allow first team manager Aaron Blackwood to continue to develop some of the best young talent locally at our level, which is something both he and the Feckenham committee are committed to.
“The agreement also gives us the necessary requirements to progress up the football pyramid should we achieve our goals over the coming seasons.
“I’d like to thank Dave (Faulkner) and the rest of the board at Redditch United for making it such a smooth process. We look forward to a fruitful partnership and being part of the future at the Trico Stadium.”
Redditch United operations manager David Faulkner said: “We are very excited to have Feckenham join us at the Trico Stadium.
“To have another Redditch-based first team at the ground is fantastic for the local area. Not only will this be a financial benefit to Redditch United, but there will be football benefits too as we will be able to feed our young players to Feckenham to gain experience in their development to play in our senior team.
“We have decided to fold our reserve team and instead will enter an under 21 team in the Midland Football League instead.
“Thanks to a recent Football Foundation grant, we have been able to invest in an improved function room and changing facilities. The more people we can have utilising our amazing ground the better.
“I’m absolutely sure non-League football in Redditch will continue to thrive and we will continue to invest heavily in Redditch United to ensure the future of our club whilst benefiting the local community.”
