As for the summer of 2026, I’m delighted to reveal further investments that are consistent with our community club ethos. The current changes will transition Beveree Stadium from a matchday venue to a campus that is available to a co-educational academy, local youth teams, local schools and community groups
Central to our plans is a durable playing surface capable of serving community-based users of Beveree facilities. The primary undertaking is the replacement of the natural grass “main pitch” with a safe, aesthetically pleasing and durable synthetic surface. Project plans include moving top soil and sprinkler systems from the main pitch to the top field where we will recreate our natural grass playing surface and a proper 9v9 field primarily for youth groups.
Am I understanding this correctly, we are switching to a synthetic pitch ? This sounds like a major undertaking. Is this really possible during the close season ?
I know plans were advanced and approved before then cancelled by the brothers as it interfered with their Champions League ambitions but still seems like a lot of work to do.
Believe it is normally around 3 to 4 months for a pitch instalation, so it is possible. May mean playing the first few games away from home as we did a couple of years ago.
BeaverWatcher wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 8:27 am
Believe it is normally around 3 to 4 months for a pitch instalation, so it is possible. May mean playing the first few games away from home as we did a couple of years ago.
Could be ready by the end of August then. I suppose it'll mean fewer postponements but generally I'm not really a fan.
I popped down to the club last week and the 3G was well under way but no idea of how far into the timetable we are. Lots of soil on the pitch and pipework being laid. Apparently some delays due to sorting out final planning permissions. Personally not a fan of 3G as we will have to dig it up when we get into the EFL(!) but understand the business reasons why we are doing it. A great show of financial support from the shareholders. Let's hope we have enough investment capacity left to make us more competitive on the pitch.
Also good idea to improve the top pitch for 9 a side. A much under utilised asset but I know difficult in the past to get permission to utilise.
Last edited by Tony on Mon Jun 01, 2026 9:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Quite a surprise that this news comes now, especially when the existing pitch has never looked as good as it did last season. I note the first home friendly is currently scheduled for 28th July although I believe that has only, so far, been announced by QPR Academy so I guess a venue change would be no big deal.
Also a bit surprising that the update comes from Scott Forbes. I dont think there has ever been a formal statement directly from him/the investors before. Everything like this has always come via Ben Hudson as far as I recall. Hopefully nothing significant in that other than maybe Scott taking on a higher profile in communcations with the fans.
The construction management plan that was logged in the council planning portal said 16 weeks. Going by what Tony has said this clock might have already started ticking.
Although I don’t particularly enjoy watching football on these pitches it very much looks like it will bring the youth sides closer as they will be able to use the pitch and the 9-a-side up the top.
Certainly should make the pitch more open than it has for years due to protecting it for the 1st team. This should benefit as it will make other teams who have played elsewhere, U18’s/ academy feel much more part of the club.
Seems that the temporary permission for the media tower (23/3163/FUL) expires on 12/07/2027 so perhaps a job for the end of next season unless it is being addressed as part of these works.
Tony wrote: Mon Jun 01, 2026 1:04 pm
Sign at the ground says construction until 31 August so looks like no home friendlies and first five or six leagues away.
Assuming the league agrees to it otherwise we’ll be ground sharing somewhere.
