New Milton settle into their new home at Fernhill

New Milton realise a ten-year dream this season with a move to their new ground at Fernhill to the north of the town.

The development is the first phase of an ambitious long term strategy to co-locate a number of sports onto the attractive parkland setting.

The ground is in a quiet, secluded area, providing two cricket pitches and a modern, well equipped clubhouse. The main ground has been prepared to a high specification, and the Club is now able to offer facilities for representative and festival matches, as well as league cricket.

Net practice facilities have been laid on, with New Milton-based Academy all-rounder David Wheeler passing on a few tips to local youngsters.

Captain Steve Watts, paying tribute to the New Milton Town Council, said: "I cannot believe that there is another Council which provides so well for its sports community.

"In addition to the new cricket ground they have built a superb football stadium, supported the Bowls Club, and redeveloped our former ground at Ashley as a centre for rugby.

"They consulted us at every stage of the development. In return we have been able to make a major contribution towards the Clubhouse and the ancillary cricket facilities through grants and fundraising."

The ground was formally opened by Ian Wooldridge, the highly acclaimed Daily Mail sports writer, on July 24, 2002.