IT IS a very exciting day for football fans in Basingstoke, as the Basingstoke Town Football Club men’s first team are set to face AFC Totton - in their first home match in over a year. 

The club were kicked out of their Camrose home in summer 2019 and were forced to play their home games in Winchester.

But that is set to come to an end today, after their new stadium in Winklebury officially received ground grading last week at the second time of asking.

Currently sitting just behind their rivals, the Basingstoke team are excited to go head to head with the table-toppers. The match kicks off at the Winklebury sports complex at 3pm, and the restricted number of 400 fan tickets quickly sold out. 

Appearing on BBC South Today yesterday evening, Friday October 23, chairman of the community club Terry Brown acknowledged it was a big step in the club’s progress to finding a permanent home. 

“It’s a massive difference to our supporters, the people that really count. They have been so loyal and so passionate about the support to keep this alive,” he said.

“This is our 125th year, our anniversary. I never thought the club would see that.”

Team captain Simon Dunn said: “You couldn’t ask for a better game really for the opener here”, while fellow player Lewis Hayden added: “The spirit has been unbelievable. We’re all excited to be back here, back home.”