A Burnham-On-Sea football club’s long-running search for a permanent home is finally over this week after the owners of the Somerset Rebels speedway track came forward to offer their help.
Burnbridge Wanderers Junior Football Club has confirmed that the Oak Tree Arena’s inner grass area of its speedway track is its new home.
Bill and Frances Hancock, the owners of the Oak Tree, have also given permission for the club to use an adjacent four-acre field.
Paul Harding, Chairman of Burnbridge Wanderers, told Burnham-On-Sea.com it is “fantastic” that the club now has a permanent home for their football training.
Burnbridge Wanderers has 140 members aged 6-16 and had outgrown its previous home at Burnham’s BASC Ground.
Burnham-On-Sea.com reported in 2007 here that the club had begun a search for a new home and that its application to create a new pitch in Stoddens Lane had been turned down by planners.
Mr Hancock has decided to donate the ground rental from the club to the National Autistic Society and Childrens Hospice South West, both of whom received £250 cheques at a presentation on Sunday.
The team, sponsored by Highbridge Caravans, is pictured above enjoying their first day’s training on the grass in the centre of the speedway arena on Sunday.
Pictured: Above – Under 7s players Charlie and Elliot, with Coach Jim Harri Paul Harding (Burnbridge Chair), Barbara Stabbins (National Autistic Society), Doreen Fisher (Childrens’ Hospice), Bill Hancock, and Margaret Windram (Burnbridge JFC); Middle – Philip Davies (Highbridge Caravans), plus coaches Jim Harris and Richie Crook, plus players Nathan, Elliot, Harry, Jacob, Charlie, Zack, Jacob, Keelan, Callum (Assistant Coach)
