ROBINS READY TO FEATHER THE NEST

New 3G pitch heralds £1m Bracknell makeover

WITH Hellenic League Premier Division status secured, Bracknell Town look set for a summer of exciting developments as work begins on improving the Robins’ Larges Lane home.

The club plans to install a new 3G pitch, which will kick-start a £1m programme intended to modernise the buildings and changing rooms.

Much of the work will be funded by the sale of land beside the ground, which is expected to be used for housing.

Bracknell chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse, pictured right, told The NLP: “There had been talk of relocation for the last 30 years or so, and in this time the stadium has become rather rundown.

“When I joined the board last June, we decided that it was best to pull the plug on any talk of relocation and, instead, focus all of our time and energy on improving our current home.

“Installing a 3G pitch this summer will help to get the local community more engaged with the club and will hopefully pave the way for us to have an on-site educational academy for 16 to 18-year-olds.”

As well as pushing ahead with the impressive new development, Steinborn-Busse has also worked hard to ensure the Robins will be in a financially secure position for the next phase of their history.

“Like many clubs at this level, Bracknell have had a few financial problems over the past few years, and we have created what we believe to be a sound financial plan to move us forward,” said the chairman.

“The club has traditionally relied on volunteers and benefactors, which is perfectly normal at this level

“However, our aim is for the club to be able to have a solid business model and be able to function and operate within its own means. For example, we have just managed to clear the club’s debts.”

Impressive

Under the guidance of club legend Mark Tallentire, events on the pitch are also looking promising.

Tallentire made a return to the Berkshire club in October and oversaw an impressive second half of the season, when the Robins finished comfortably above the relegation zone.

The manager said: “It is such an exciting time to be involved with the club and there is such a buzz around the place at the moment.

“In my first meeting with Kayne, he told me about the fantastic developments he had planned and made it clear how important staying in the division was.

“The side was in a bit of bad way, so I had to make a number of changes early on, but the players gelled together really quickly and we soon pulled away from trouble.

“By the end of the season, we had built up a very competitive squad and I am confident we can really go for it next year.

“I firmly believe that Bracknell deserve to play at a higher level than currently, and it is my job to make sure that happens.”