An FA pitch inspection is set for next Thursday (26 March) at Faraday Road to decide whether Newbury Town FC can be promoted.
The council will add another stand area to make sure the ground's seating and standing capacity meets Step 6. A planning application for the floodlights was unanimously approved on Wednesday by the Western Area Planning committee — another Step 6 requirement.
“The other items are really to do with pitch measurements, and measurements of technical areas which I am very confident we will be able to meet,” said leisure portfolio holder Nigel Foot at Thursday’s (March 19) council executive meeting.
Step 6 is the FA’s Grade 7/6 (Category G/H) standard for clubs at Level 10 of the English pyramid — typically requiring floodlights, spectator capacity, secured perimeter fencing and basic amenities such as covered standing for at least 50–100 people. Newbury Town have applied to move up from the Thames Valley Premier League (Step 7) for 2026/27, but promotion isn’t guaranteed: they must finish in the top five and meet the ground-grading requirements, including floodlights.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
