21/09/2026
In response to a letter received which has been shared publicly via social media regarding the future of the proposed 3G pitch project the Club committee wish to share the following statement:
Following the recent decision by Capel Community Trust not to proceed with the current 3G pitch project, the Club would like to make the following statement to our members, players, parents, volunteers and supporters.
We fully understand and respect the difficult decision that has been made. We recognise that the cost of delivering the original project has increased significantly over recent years, alongside the ongoing costs associated with operating, maintaining and renewing such a facility. We appreciate that the Trust has to consider the long-term financial sustainability of the project and its wider responsibilities to the village and community.
That said, we cannot hide our disappointment.
A huge amount of work has gone into supporting the proposed 3G pitch, and many members of Capel Plough Football Club have given their time, energy and fundraising efforts in the belief that the project could become a reality. The Club has also worked hard to raise funds and secure sponsorship commitments, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed along the way.
The Trust has acknowledged those efforts, and we would like to echo that appreciation. This project has been a genuine community effort, and we should be proud of the commitment shown by our players, parents, coaches, committee members, volunteers and supporters.
Importantly, we want to remain positive about what can be achieved in the future.
We will continue discussions with Capel Community Trust to explore what alternatives may be possible. One option that we would be keen to investigate is a smaller 7- or 9-a-side 3G facility. While this would obviously be different from the original proposal, it could still provide a significant benefit to the Club and its members, particularly as a high-quality training facility during the winter months, as well as potentially allowing mini-soccer fixtures to be played at weekends.
We believe it is important that the conversation continues and that we look at what is achievable rather than simply focusing on what is no longer possible.
We also appreciate that members will have questions about the decision and the reasons behind it. We would encourage those questions to be directed to Capel Community Trust, who are best placed to provide the detailed background to the decision, including the revised project costs, funding requirements and ongoing financial considerations. Football Club officials can only comment on the information that has been shared with us and should not be expected to speculate on matters relating to the Trust’s decision-making.
Capel Plough Football Club remains fully committed to supporting football in the village and providing the best possible opportunities for our players, from our youngest mini-soccer players through to our senior teams.
We would like to thank everyone who has supported the 3G project to date. Although the original proposal will not now proceed in its current form, we hope that this is not the end of the journey and that, together with Capel Community Trust, we can find a sustainable alternative that delivers a lasting benefit for football and the wider community in Capel.
Capel Plough Football Club Committee
