Havant and Waterlooville Football Club are delighted to announce that a new 3G surface will be installed at Westleigh Park from next season.

The new pitch will bring huge benefits to both the Club and the local community at large, with teams from the local area being able to hire and use the pitch all year round.

The installation of the new surface, twinned with the creation of the new Havant and Waterlooville FC Foundation, showcases how the Hawks want to be the beating heart of the community it serves.

S&C Slatter have been awarded the contract, and will be working with the Club to install the new surface in time for the 2020/21 season.

First team manager Paul Doswell, commented, “Having worked with Jason Douglass before at S&C Slatter when I was at Sutton United, we have chosen the best company in the country to install our surface. I saw first hand at Sutton what a game changer the 3G pitch became and I’m convinced that this will be the focal point of the local community.

“It will enable all the boys, girls, and adults to enjoy playing football in a safe, stadium environment and we cannot wait to see the facility in use.

“From a football perspective we have chosen and invested in the best pitch that money can buy. I was very disappointed with our home form last season and I believe the unpredictable nature of the pitch from October onwards played a part in this. This surface lets you play fast, attacking, passing football and will suit the way that Bairdy and I want our team to play.”

Mark Pope, Director at Havant and Waterlooville Football Club, commented: “I have never been a great advocate of having a 3G surface at Westleigh Park or football in general however, myself and the other members of the Board studied the facts and we felt that in order to secure the long term future and success of the Club we believe it will be a very beneficial move and the right time to introduce the playing surface. The quality of the surface is much better and vastly improved.

“Together with myself and the other investors we have been working very hard behind the scenes to ensure we get the best surface available, along with an experienced manager to operate the new facility to its full potential.

“It will create a number of new jobs within the area and will bring together the community, along with helping financial matters on and off the pitch to make us a real community based Club. It’s an exciting new era at Westleigh and can only make us stronger as a Club.”

Jason Douglass, group director of S&C Slatter, said, “S&C Slatter are thrilled to be working with Havant and Waterlooville FC to deliver a cutting-edge new 3G artificial turf pitch at their Westleigh Park ground.

“The new playing surface will deliver superior performance and withstand the hours of usage required for both match play and training – ready to support the Hawks for the next season.

“On a more personal level, we’re delighted to be working with Paul Doswell again. Following the pioneering success of the 3G turf pitch at Sutton United FC, we look forward to collaborating on this exciting new project with Paul at HWFC.”

Work will begin on Monday August 3, with completion expected by October 2020.