FOR the first time in history, Maidenhead United are preparing to leave 155-year-old stadium York Road.
The ground is thought to be the oldest in the world to be used by one club continuously.
Magpies chair Peter Griffin said in December that the current stadium is not up to scratch and in 2024 admitted he would be forced to sell the club if progress wasn’t made on a move.
Non-league Maidenhead have been pushing to go to Braywick Park since 2023 but saw their attempts collapse.
Now, it is reported by the BBC that the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) cabinet is set to agree to a plan to build on land at Braywick, just a mile down the road.
In a proposal released by the club, Maidenhead say that they aim to build on land to the right of the current leisure centre “with its own access and utilising existing car parking on Vicus Way.”
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The newly built ground will have a capacity of 5,000 (500 more than York Road can hold) with a “smaller footprint and height, with reduced visual impact from the front of Braywick.”
Maidenhead are competing in the National League South and sit firmly in mid-table but with the play-offs not out of reach.
They were relegated from the National League last season.
A statement adds that the site, next to the padel courts and athletic track, will have a “modern grass surface allowing men’s, women’s and youth matches.”
The plans are described as being at a “relatively early” stage by the council but a blueprint is in place for a “commitment to environmental and biodiversity enhancements at Braywick” as well as using a “sustainable design with renewable energy, water recycling and energy efficiency.”
Griffin said at the end of 2025: “With a heavy heart we have to look elsewhere.
“It’s been a brilliant, historic ground but it’s just not fit for purpose.”
On Braywick as an alternative location, he explained: “For us it represents an absolutely brilliant move but for the town we think it’s a fantastic opportunity to have what’s an amazing sports hub right in the town centre.
“What we’re trying to do is secure the club for the next 150 years.
“We have had a great time but this is about the future generations to enjoy and for all the kids’ teams we run and all the community activities we run. If they’re going to continue, we have to move.”
Maidenhead say that throughout January 2026 they have: “Held three ground design workshops focused on key areas; Ground Design, Enhancements to Braywick Park, and Biodiversity.
“The events, which focused on gathering community input into the club’s emerging proposals for a new ground at Braywick Park, were attended by more than 100 local residents, supporters and stakeholders.
“Each session provided an opportunity for attendees to review design ideas, discuss emerging concepts with club representatives and professional advisors, and share feedback that will help inform the next stage of proposals. “
With a 999-year lease, Maidenhead would pay £2.5million to the council for the ground, including £500,000 paid over the first two decades.
Of that, £25,000 would go out yearly and the stadium is there to “protect the asset for generations to come.”
Early designs include “natural or composite timber cladding to soften the building appearance” and “timber fins and columns to break up the mass of the building and provide design features.”
In 2024 the club got £4million from West Ham signing Wolves defender Max Kilman.
The English centre-back was sold by Maidenhead for £40,000 in 2018 but a crucial sell-on clause was added into the deal.
Griffin said the money would “keep the wolf from the door” but added that it only provided a “window in which to leverage a ground move.”
He said at the time: “We don’t think staying at York Road is viable.
“The only way it could be viable is if someone comes in with way more money than me and puts in way more money.
“But then you’re potentially going down the Reading FC route.
“Getting owners in who may be good, or may be bad, or could take you down and bankrupt you.
“That’s if you can find people who are willing to put in tens of millions as well to do all this.”
He added: “If the council genuinely want people to participate in sport and football, then they have to come up with policies as to how they’ll do that.
“We’ve got a solution for that because we’re not asking for money, we’re asking for support to provide something that the town, the council and the football club can benefit from.
“If we can’t find a solution to this in the next three or four years, it will be down that route we go I’m afraid. We’ll then be hostage to fortune.”
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