Dorset FA announce new partnership in plan to revamp County Ground

Dorset FA have announced an official partnership with Poole-based Greendale Construction, as they endeavour to revamp their County Ground headquarters.

The construction firm is set to take the naming rights for this season’s Dorset Challenge Cup, as well as playing an integral part in the development of a new 150-seater stand at the county FA’s main location.

Greendale are set to provide the works to construct the main base upon which the new stand will be placed.

Speaking on behalf of the Dorset FA, CEO Roger Vaughan said: “We’re grateful for the opportunity to partner with Greendale Construction, both in supporting the construction of our new stand and to sponsor our senior Sunday competition.

“We hope this is the beginning of a strong relationship with a well-respected and supportive local business.”

Maria Seabright, finance and HR director at Greendale Construction, added: “We’re delighted to partner with Dorset FA. To take on naming rights of the Dorset Sunday Challenge Cup is very exciting.

“Greendale are also thrilled to be working with Dorset FA on the new stand at Hamworthy United FC’s County Ground.

“The new steel framed stand will sit on a reinforced concrete base and supply 150 seats, plus two wheelchair spaces, providing unobstructed views of the pitch under a cantilevered roof.”

Hamworthy United had used the Dorset FA’s County Ground headquarters for both first and reserve team home fixtures.

But with the previous main stand at the ground condemned earlier this year, Hammers’ first team were forced to start the campaign ground sharing with Weymouth – to ensure the club met Southern League ground grading regulations.

Last month, Hamworthy United made the decision to withdraw their first-team from the Southern League due to financial implications. A statement from the club read: “With the ongoing financial burden of being unable to play at our home ground together with the general costs of keeping a team in the Southern League, the financial position of the club has become untenable.”

Following that statement, the county FA expressed their sympathy for the club and revealed the “discovery of asbestos contaminated rubble” which had led to further cost and delays in providing a new stand.

pic.twitter.com/f1vzv1fJF9

— Dorset County Football Association (@DorsetCFA) October 6, 2023

Some good news! Thanks to the persistence of the @DorsetCFA, the Asbestos problem has been solved and the demolition workers have been back on site this week and the stand has now been demolished.

Onto the next stage.@swsportsnews @BmthEchoSport @Dorsetechosport @WessexLeague pic.twitter.com/FzxzNMaJhm

— Hamworthy United FC (@HamworthyUtdFC) October 20, 2023

Hamworthy United’s reserve team continue to operate at the County Ground at present, sitting eighth in the Dorset Premier League.