Berks County are delighted to announce they have reached an agreement with Hellenic League Division One East side, Wokingham and Emmbrook Football Club, for the use of their Lowther Road pitch and facilities for the forthcoming season.

Since our formation in 2009, John Nike Stadium has always been home to the County senior teams and we’re pleased that this on-going relationship will remain in place as the Reserves continue to play their TVPL home games at the facility.

However, since Lee Simpson and Ed Carpenter took over in January 2018 it was always their ambition to raise the profile of the club and find a facility that is able to house the First Team and their opponents under one roof. Both Lee and Ed have worked tireless during the off-season putting proposals together for a ground share which were presented to both the Committee and the trustees last month. Following those meetings, an agreement was reached to find a suitable venue in the local area for ground share but ensuring the club would remain sustainable and close to its roots.

Due to the stringent ground grading regulations the FA have enforced for Step 6 clubs, our new landlords have agreed to play their Hellenic League home fixtures at Bracknell Town F.C.’s Larges Lane ground, as Lowther Road doesn’t currently meet the necessary criteria. In turn, this has given WEFC an extra year to meet the required ground grading whilst opening up the opportunity for the County First Team to play their TVPL home fixtures in conjunction with fellow Premier Division side, Wokingham & Emmbrook Reserves.

In addition to the ground share, the First Team will change their kit colours from green and white to maroon and sky blue in a move to align and strengthen relationships between the Junior and Senior sections of the club in a bold and forward thinking ‘One Club’ message

Lastly, we’d like to thank Wokingham and Emmbrook F.C. for their co-operation during the negotiations and we look forward to building on the start of this positive relationship.