Bowdon Hockey Club's new pitch is open after more than £51,000 in donations from at least 160 families, with an official opening on Saturday 26 September.
Bowdon Hockey Club has replaced its worn-out artificial pitch with help from its own community. The club says at least 160 individuals and families gave more than £51,000 towards it.
The new surface is already in use. The official opening is on Saturday 26 September, at a double header for its men’s and women’s first teams, and the club says all are welcome.
Five months from appeal to opening
The club launched a crowdfunding appeal on 16 March 2026. Its appeal post said the old pitch was 25 years old. Careful upkeep had helped it outlast its expected lifespan, the club said, but it was “worn, losing performance” and could not be put off any longer.
At that point the club already had some money saved and had applied for grants. It set out to raise around £30,000 in six weeks. Sport England agreed to match the appeal, so every £1 donated put £2 into the pitch fund.
On 20 August the club announced the pitch was finished and open, ready for the 2026/27 season. It says the work finished two weeks ahead of schedule.
Where the money came from
The club’s August post credits several sources:
- donations of more than £51,000 from at least 160 individuals and families
- Sport England, which matched donations up to £15,000
- a loan facility set up to support hockey facilities
- members who lent money through the club’s own member loan scheme
The club has not published the total cost of the pitch or how the sum splits between those sources. The post also thanks the volunteer pitch group, which researched the surface and the supplier.
More than a hockey pitch
The club said in March that the pitch is not only for hockey. It named Hale United Football Club, local schools and community groups among its other users.
What it means for you
The opening is a chance to see the pitch in use:
- When: Saturday 26 September 2026.
- What: a double header, with the men’s and women’s first teams both playing East Grinstead.
- Where: Bowdon Cricket, Hockey and Squash Club, South Downs Road, Bowdon, WA14 3DR.
- Who can come: the club says all are welcome.
The club has not put start times in its post, so check its news page before you go.
On busy days the club may send cars to an overflow car park at Bowdon Church School, WA14 3EX. It has 70 spaces and is about a 100m walk from the pitch, according to the club’s home pitches page. For other options nearby, see our guide to parking in Altrincham.
Sources
- Bowdon Hockey Club: New pitch finished and open! (20 August 2026), for the £51,000 and 160 donors, the Sport England match, the loans, the early finish and the official opening.
- Bowdon Hockey Club: Crowdfunding for a new Bowdon astro pitch (16 March 2026), for the age of the old pitch, the £30,000 target, matched funding and the other users.
- Bowdon Hockey Club: Home pitches, for the address and the overflow car park.
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