Our stadia 3G ATP at Greenwich Avenue failed its “FIFA quality professional performance level” professional accreditation test undertaken last month, with such a requirement to play at Step 1 of the National League System.

However, the 3G DID provisionally pass at the next level down of the same accreditation. This meets the requirements of our existing playing level - the Northern Premier League (Step 3) - subject to the required remedial work to be carried out and with pass accreditation granted before May 31, 2024.

All 3G ATP pitches are required to be tested annually.

Because the ATP pitch is aging (now eight years old), it is losing its performance criteria, incurring expected significant cost, and requires continual annual remedial work as it approaches the end of its useful life. Therefore we, as owners, must look at the most viable solutions.

In 2015, under the funding and vision of us, as owners, and backed as a necessity of a significant rise up the football pyramid, a new stadium was developed at a complete project cost of £1.75million, which was inclusive of this 3G stadia ATP.

The owners of Basford United FC Ltd., in line with their own exit plans – which was always to be in 2024 - are looking at all options and solutions. These could include the preferred option - a complete replacement of the stadia 3G, or worse case, further patch repairs.

The complete replacement involves a significant outlay of upwards of £240k. This would provide an extended life of ten years through a new state-of-the-art surface but carries ramifications for the exiting owners.

The club continues to move forward and work on solutions in the interest of all parties and, most importantly, the community, and further developments and outcomes will be disclosed at a later time.