The Story of our Sports Club
The story of Finchampstead Sports Club really begins in 1947 when the twelve acre memorial park was created. It was the acquisition of the field situated in the heart of the village.
The principal instigator was the local medical practitioner Doctor Edward Billing who organised the fundraising mainly by a levy on the rates. It is recalled that following the field acquisition he stood on the field alongside the school headmistress of the time, Miss Chivers, and exclaimed “this will be ideal for football and cricket!”
And so it has proved. Cricket was able to restart after the war in 1949 and football in 1952. These sports continued throughout the fifties and early sixties using the wooden and metal pavilion which had been in use for many years.
In 1965 plans were afoot to construct a brick built sports pavilion to cater for both sports at the time. As the building would be on the memorial park with the ultimate trustees, The Charity Commission, it was necessary for the sports club to be formed. The meeting of 10th February 1966 duly approved the constitution so Finchampstead Sports Club was incorporated.
Construction of the building was already under way and eventually opened on 10th June 1966. The original building cost £6340 and this cost was assisted by a grant from the Department of Science (a forerunner of the Playing Fields Association). Being some £2000 short the balance was raised from enlightened local residents who loaned the monies in units of £100 repayable in five years time.
A lease was entered into for the building itself and has seen two twenty one year terms and the present twenty five year lease. The lease provides for Finchampstead Sports Club to maintain the park in good condition at its own expense.
1975 saw expansion with the need for a larger and thus main lounge area. This building joined to the village hall included a foyer and main entrance with a cost of £11382. Further improvements in 1981 and 1982 saw the amenities room built and improvements to the cellar.
More expansion of our sport undoubtedly aided by the fine ground and facilities led to more playing space required. So in 1982 after lengthy negotiations the eight acre field the other side of the beech hedge boundary was acquired. The land cost £20500 with all costs including fencing met by the sports club. By 1986 we had completed the levelling and preparation for sport now giving an overall financial involvement of £64347. Assisting the improvements were a £20000 loan from Wokingham District Council and grants totalling £7390 from the Royal County of Berkshire and the Sports Council.
A separate pavilion was required on the now named leas ground. It was constructed in 1988 costing £26807. Seven years later and after the construction of the training courts (which will be referred to) the building was extended at a cost of £25617. So the overall building costs became £51974.
The building extension which included ladies facilities had become necessary as in 1995 the Lenton Leas netball and football training courts were constructed adjacent to the pavilion building. These courts cost £60512 and assisted by grants of £20000 from the Football Association, £10000 Foundation for Sports and Arts and £2000 from Finchampstead Parish Council. Also a loan of £10000 was provided by Wokingham District Council.
In 2007 the club constructed a storage building alongside the leas pavilion to house our ever increasing spots and ground equipment. It cost £10274.
Several sports are now catered for at the club. With overall twenty acres available there are football and cricket pitches as well as the training and netball courts and two pavilions each with full facilities.
Football reformed in 1952 comprises senior and extensive junior and Sunday sides. Both the weekend senior and youth sections are combined as one club and include over 300 juniors in 2012. Cricket recommenced in 1949 and also has seniors and juniors as one club. With over 180 juniors in 2012 it does have a youth management team to ensure progress and opportunities for youngsters.
Netball was founded in 1988 and seven years later their courts were constructed. They run several teams and have a flourishing junior section with in 2012 over 70 youngsters competing and training.
To complete the sporting sections there are runners and joggers with Finch Coasters founded in 1982.
The club welcomes and indeed does need social members who can enjoy the facilities which are open daily.
Management of the club is vested in the general committee. There are the officers, representatives of Finchampstead Park Management Committee , the chairmen of all sectional clubs and other elected members.
2012 sees the Finchampstead Sports Club founded for 46 years. In that period there have been five presidents, three chairmen, four secretaries and four treasurers. In office in 2012 are :-
PresidentRobin Brown
Chairman John Wood
SecretaryNick Markham
TreasurerNeil Doody
The club is proud of its fine assets and facilities including the memorial park maintained by us for the FPMC and the freehold leas ground. Both are always in peerless condition and for sport renowned throughout a wide area. First class cricket counties have appeared here being Yorkshire, Kent and Durham. Also South Africa Under 19 on their first ever overseas tour and the England Women side who met India in the fifth Womens World Cup.
The club owes thanks to the continuity of the ground staff as well as their dedication and undoubted skills. The groundsman has tended the park and leas ground for thirty seven years whilst his assistant has mown the outfields for sixty two years !
This report has been updated in February 2012.
