Funding boost kicks-off plans for new Hamble 3G pitch
Hamble could soon benefit from a new state-of-the-art community 3G football pitch after Eastleigh Borough Councillors agreed to allocate £312,000 towards the project.
At a meeting of the Bursledon, Hamble and Hound (BHH) Local Area Committee last night/on 2 July, Members approved the allocation of developer contributions to support the proposed facility at Hamble Club Football Club, marking a significant step forward in plans to bring a new all-weather pitch to the area.
The project is being developed through a partnership between Eastleigh Borough Council, Hampshire FA, the Football Foundation, Hamble Parish Council and Hamble Club Football Club. Over the past year, the partners have explored a range of options to identify the most suitable location for a new 3G pitch, with Hamble Club FC emerging as the preferred site following technical assessments and public consultation.
In early 2026, Hamble Parish Council undertook a consultation with local residents, which showed strong support for locating the facility at Hamble Club FC. The Football Foundation also confirmed that match funding would only be available at football club sites with three-star accreditation – and Hamble Club FC is a three-star England Accredited Thriving Community Club.
The proposed pitch would provide year-round opportunities for grassroots football, training and competitive matches while also creating new opportunities for recreational play, holiday activities and coaching programmes. The facility would help support the growth of the girls' game, promote more inclusive participation in football and encourage greater levels of physical activity across the community.
Chair of the Bursledon, Hamble and Hound Local Area Committee, Councillor Tonia Craig, said: “It’s great news that we have been able to allocate this funding that will make a huge contribution to inclusive football development in the Hamble area and meet an identified strategic need for additional 3G pitch provision. It will also help meet one of our key objectives of delivering long-term health, wellbeing and sporting benefits for local residents of all ages.”
The £312,000 allocation is expected to play a key role in unlocking further investment in the project. Discussions are now under way on a grant application to the Football Foundation, which could provide up to 65 per cent of the estimated £1.1 million project cost.
Funding from the Local Area Committee is subject to a fully funded and deliverable scheme being achieved. Hamble Club FC will continue working alongside Hamble Parish Council and the Football Foundation to develop the proposals, with the aim of delivering the new facility in time for the start of the 2028-29 season.