Footballing history will be made this weekend when Wokingham Town Football Club plays its first home competitive match in the town for more than 20 years.
The club left its former home on Finchampstead Road in 1999. It groundshared for four years until merging to form Wokingham & Emmbrook Football Club in 2004.
This season, the club has reverted to its former name to mark the 150th anniversary season since Wokingham Town FC was formed.
On Sunday, the club will welcome Cheltenham Saracens to its Lowther Road ground for a match in the Isuzu FA Vase first qualifying round.
Wokingham Town has enjoyed a mixed start to their Combined Counties League campaign, with one win from its opening three league matches prior to Tuesday evening’s fourth match at Wallingford & Crowmarsh.
The club is hoping to attract a large crowd for Sunday’s match. It is already aware of at least one group of groundhoppers (supporters who attempt to see a match on as many different grounds as possible) who will be travelling to the town from Lancashire.
The previous record attendance for a Wokingham & Emmbrook match at Lowther Road was set last year, when 693 supporters witnessed a local derby in the FA Cup against Binfield.
With the tie being one of only a few matches taking place on Sunday, it is hoping for a large crowd that will set a new record for a Town match at Lowther Road.
Mark Ashwell, president of Wokingham Town FC, told Wokingham Today: “Sunday will be a landmark event in the history of football in Wokingham, as the town’s team returns home.
“It would be fantastic to see as many supporters with us, and cheering the Sumas on to the next round.”
The winners of Sunday’s encounter will collect £550 in prize money, and a place in the next round.
Kick-off on Sunday, August 25, will be at 3pm.
