Newport IoW FC are facing an uncertain future after leaving Smallbrook for the final time and now find themselves homeless.
The County Town club played their last game at the Speedway Stadium on 25th April – a play-off semi-final which they lost (9-8) to Petersfield Town on penalties.
Outgoing Newport Chairman Pete Westhorpe wrote in the club programme:
“Our time at Smallbrook is coming to an end and we would especially like to thank Island Speedway who have been great hosts throughout.”
On Friday, the Port played their final game of the season: the Gold Cup final, which they lost on penalties to their greatest Isle of Wight rivals Cowes Sports.
Newport had a 2 year agreement with Island Speedway and Ryde Saints to lodge at the ground while the new stadium at the Racecourse in Whippingham was being built. However, the club are now leaving without any building work on the new ground having begun.
The latest forecast is that the new ground will be ready for the 2024/25 season.
It is believed the Port are seeking a ground share agreement with East Cowes Vics – where they were tenants during the lockdown period before moving to Smallbrook.
However, an official announcement has yet to be made.
Island Echo understands that the Vics Reserves team have been told they may be playing on the 3G pitch at Cowes Enterprise College next season. This would allow Newport to play at Beatrice Avenue on alternate Saturdays.
Earlier this season, the Port announced building work would start on the new ground in October and then in March. In February of 2022, the club informed the public that work was set to start in May of that year.
It is now over 5 years since Newport 1st announced they would be relocating to the Racecourse site in Whippingham.
31st March was the deadline for entry to the FA Cup and FA Vase competitions. Without either a ground or a leasehold in place, they will not be able to enter either competition. Furthermore, their future in the Wessex League is also in question.
The Port attracted many top Island players this season and finished the season in the runners up spot. Any problems with the club have been off-the-field issues rather than the performance of the 1st team.
However, will the County Town club be able to retain the services of the cream of the crop without a permanent home?
At the meeting in December (to announce work would commence this March) manager Steve Brougham said:
“We can have as many meetings as we want. What we need is a ground. Otherwise, we don’t have either a youth team or a reserve team.”
Outgoing Newport Chairman Peter Westhorpe has previously stated:
“It will be very difficult to keep our team next season without visible progress.”
Island football is in a very bad way.If clubs cannot bother to complete their fixtures what future is there?Broken promises of a new ground why should current Newport FC players stay when other Island Wessex teams are already building for next season.Steve Brougham deserves better.Maybe the new ground monies have gone there seems to be no urgency at the Racecourse.
There is an empty football ground at St Georges Way that could be put to very good use. Why don’t the powers that be negotiate the return of Newport FC until another ground is actually ready? Nothing has been done there since the club was evicted, a complete and utter waste of a sports facility.