Basingstoke Town FC: Permanent home at Winklebury complex

'Stoke look set to finally secure a permanent home at Winklebury Football Complex under proposals going before Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s Cabinet next week.

Under the plans, Hampshire FA would surrender its long leases on the council‑owned stadium site so the club can be granted a new long‑term lease directly from the authority, giving Basingstoke Town a ground they can “truly call its own” for the first time since leaving the Camrose.

Cabinet members meeting on Tuesday, June 9, are being asked to approve the early surrender of three Hampshire FA leases at Winklebury, in return for a premium payment from the council, and to agree a new head lease for Basingstoke Town Community FC covering the stadium complex and pavilion.

Winklebury Sports Complex from above from Matt Rooks-Taylor's Our Town United: The Story of Basingstoke Town Football Club documentary (Image: Matt Rooks-Taylor)

The recommended option would place the club as the council’s direct tenant at the site, with Hampshire FA taking a sub‑lease over the main artificial pitch so it can continue to manage the surface and deliver community and grassroots football in line with Football Foundation grant conditions.

If backed by Cabinet, the extra budget required will then go to a full council meeting in July, with the aim of completing the legal work with both the club and Hampshire FA by late summer or autumn 2026.

Co‑Leader and Cabinet member for finance and property Cllr Gavin James said: “Securing the future and a long-term home for the football club has been one of our top priorities and something we’ve been determined to get right.

“After a lot of hard work between us, this agreement gives the club a home of its own at Winklebury where it can grow for the future, attract investment and expand its fantastic plans both on and off the pitch.

“At the same time, it ensures Hampshire FA can carry on supporting grassroots and community football in the borough which is incredibly important. We believe this is a positive step forward that protects the future of football at Winklebury and benefits the wider community.”

The deal is central to 'Stoke's business plan, which argues that long‑term control of the ground is vital to grow attendances, expand community events and develop its education, academy and women’s and girls’ programmes.

Jack Miller (centre) celebrates winning the Hampshire Cup (and the treble!) with fans at Fratton (Image: Steve Gridley)

Chairman Jack Miller said: “This proposal is a massive step forward for the future of football in Basingstoke, and it follows a long period of close collaboration with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire FA.

"Having a home of our own is absolutely vital for future-proofing the club and ensuring we remain firmly in control of our own destiny.

“We are incredibly excited about this opportunity, especially during our 130th anniversary year. Securing this foundation would help us to truly build for the future and help us deliver our ambitions both on and off the pitch.”

The club already runs post‑16 football and education programmes from Winklebury and has set out ambitions to turn the complex into a centre of excellence, adding junior and girls’ academies and higher‑level sports qualifications while keeping space available for wider community use.

Bello celebrates Basingstoke goal (Image: Aaron Noonan)

Hampshire FA has managed the Winklebury site since 2011, overseeing its transformation into a modern stadium with a 3G pitch, stands, pavilion and education space, backed by Football Foundation funding and council investment.

As part of the new structure, the association would sub‑lease part of the complex from Basingstoke Town to continue running the main pitch and meeting the community access commitments attached to the Football Foundation grant, meaning local players and clubs would still be able to use the facility.

Hampshire FA chief executive Neil Cassar said: “We have been working closely with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Basingstoke Town Community FC to further develop opportunities for the game to progress in the town at senior and local level for years to come. We look forward to progressing further to enable the opportunities that exist become reality.”

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