Ollerton Town expand facilities thanks to partnership with Gleeson Homes

Ollerton Town Football Club is celebrating a major milestone in its development plans following the creation of new football pitches made possible through a partnership with Gleeson Homes and support from Newark and Sherwood District Council.

As part of the Petersmith Park development in Ollerton, Gleeson Homes identified an opportunity to create additional sporting provision for the local community, setting aside land adjacent to the club's Walesby Lane ground for new football pitches.

Working closely with Ollerton Town Football Club and Newark and Sherwood District Council, the initiative will provide much-needed additional playing facilities, helping the club meet growing demand and continue its expansion as a thriving community sports organisation.

Following the securing of a long-term lease on its existing ground and continued growth of its grassroots and junior football programmes, the club is now well positioned to expand its facilities and create new opportunities for local players of all ages.

Once complete, the additional pitches will enable the club to accommodate more teams, reduce pressure on existing playing surfaces and improve playing conditions throughout the season. The new facilities will also provide opportunities to host junior tournaments, community events and wider activities that further strengthen the club's role at the heart of the Ollerton community.

In addition to providing the land, Gleeson Homes has supported the development of the site through the installation of secure perimeter fencing, a new pedestrian pathway linking the pitches directly to the existing Walesby Lane ground, and dedicated emergency access routes to ensure the facilities are safe, accessible and fit for the future.

With perimeter fencing now completed and the grass seed sown, the project is progressing well, with further updates on the official opening expected in due course.

Liam Kent, Chair of Ollerton Town Football Club, described the news as big for the club.

"This is a huge moment for our ambitions to become the best community football club we can be,” he said. “These new pitches will enable us to provide even more opportunities for local people to get involved in football and support the next stage of the club's growth.

"I'd like to thank Neil McLafferty for his hard work in helping bring this project to life, Newark and Sherwood District Council for their support, and of course the team at Gleeson Homes for their commitment and collaboration throughout. We're excited to see the pitches in use and the positive impact they will have for the community in the years ahead."

Allen Marshall, Managing Director for Gleeson Homes Midlands, said the firm were delighted to have helped Town.

"At Gleeson Homes, we're passionate about creating sustainable communities where people can thrive, not just building high-quality homes,” he said. “Supporting local organisations and providing facilities that benefit residents for generations is an important part of what we do.

"We're delighted to have worked alongside Ollerton Town Football Club and Newark and Sherwood District Council to help bring this project forward. “