Slough Town FC secures 50-year lease of Arbour Park

A football club has announced "a significant milestone" after securing a 50-year lease for its ground.

Slough Town Football Club has secured its long-term home at Arbour Park Community Stadium in Berkshire, after a revision with Slough Borough Council.

The club said it could "look forward with confidence and stability" with the revised lease running until May 2074.

Co-owner Ashley Smith said the move was a foundation for the stadium to "become a beacon for Slough".

Slough Town Football Club was founded in 1890 and Arbour Park has been its home since August 2016.

It was "a vital turning point after 14 years of homelessness", following its departure from Wexham Park Stadium in 2002, Mr Smith said.

The club said its attendances "have steadily risen", with an average of 1,076 fans since the beginning of the year.

In a statement, it said taking over the management of the stadium "gives us more freedom to host our own events, expanding our reach and impact within Slough".

Mr Smith described it as "a significant milestone".

"I am delighted we have not only secured the future for the football club but laid the foundations for Arbour Park Community Stadium to become a beacon for Slough and the surrounding areas," he said.

The club added the facility would serve as "a central meeting point" for its teams and would "continue to host activities with local charity partners and community groups".

It also said Arbour Park would allow it to further other endeavours such as further elevating women's football and providing a stable environment for young players.

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