Lockdown will create a ‘slight delay’ in work starting on Moneyfields’ £3.5m stadium redevelopment

A CGI artist's impression of the proposed Moneyfields redevelopment. Picture: PLC Architects

Work will begin this summer on a new £3.5m complex at the Copnor-based ground which has safeguarded the club’s future.

The Southern League Division 1 South club should hopefully be playing on a 3G pitch come the start of the 2021/22 season.

A brand new social club and changing room complex will also be in place at a stadium to be named after Portsmouth’s D-Day hero John Jenkins.

The trees which separated the two pitches at Moneyfields FC were taken down prior to lockdown being enforced. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

In addition to all the Moneyfields teams, the development - which will boast two 3G pitches - will also provide a home for Portsmouth Women and Pompey in the Community activities.

Work was due to begin in earnest this August, but chairman Pete Seiden said he expected a delay of around ‘seven to eight weeks’ as a result of lockdown.

‘I am sure any building site, or site waiting to be built on, would have the same sort of timescale,’ he admitted.

‘Work was due to start in August but that could well be unrealistic.’

The delay should not present a major problem with regards Moneys starting 2021/22 in their new stadium. After all, no-one yet knows when the 2020/21 season will begin!

‘If we get some good weather, I’m sure they can catch up - hopefully it shouldn’t hold us back too much.’

Seiden is still intrigued as to how the EFL and National League will draw their seasons to a close.

While the FA controversially declared steps 3-7 null and void, the EFL and NL are still enveloped by confusion.

The EFL could still play their remaining games, while NL clubs - including Hawks - are waiting to see if their season will be decided on a points-per-game methodology or null and voided.

‘I just find it weird,’ Seiden said. ‘How they could decide the EFL and the National League on PPG but not steps 3-7?

‘The FA could have a problem. If other leagues are decided on PPG and not steps 3-7, that could lead to legal challenges. We’re all affiliated to the same organisation.

‘It will be interesting to see what happens.’

The null and voiding of Moneyfields’ Southern League season was not cause for complaint, but the club’s reserves and women’s teams would both have won promotion under a PPG system.

The reserves were officially declared champions of the Hampshire Premier League Division 1, as they play at step 8 and therefore the HPL were allowed to decide how to end their season.

But there was no promotion, as no clubs were relegated from the division above as it was null and voided.