23 May 2025
Representatives of St Albans City Football Club have met with Chiswell Green Residents Association to discuss their ambitions to build a new stadium off Noke Lane.
Last night’s annual CGRA meeting saw club representatives share their early thoughts on the need for improved facilities and discussed how a new home could help St Albans City grow both on and off the pitch.
The Saints are exploring options with the goal of creating a modern, purpose-built stadium and associated development that would secure its future and strengthen its role in the local community.
Chairman Lawrence Levy said: “This is about securing the future of St Albans City Football Club and ensuring we have the facilities needed to sustain the club, to grow and compete at higher levels, which will in-turn provide funding for a wider range of community projects.
“Clarence Park has been our home for over 100 years and holds a huge amount of history, but it does not meet the standards required for modern day football.
“To progress and expand, we need a modern stadium that supports both the men’s and women’s football as well as giving fans a better matchday experience and a place they can be proud of.
“Beyond football, a new stadium would allow us to significantly grow our community work. We’re proud of the programmes we run supporting youth engagement, health and wellbeing, and having a purpose-built facility would help us strengthen and expand these efforts.
“This isn’t just about what happens on the pitch it’s about making a long-term investment in the community we’re part of. As lifelong supporters ourselves, we know how important it is that future plans reflect the values and voices of our fans.
“This is just the start of a wider conversation, and we want to build something that works for everyone who cares about the club and the city of St Albans”
While the project remains at an early stage, the club said it was pleased to attend the CGRA annual meeting and begin discussions with local residents. The conversation marked the start of a broader process of engagement, with St Albans City pledging to working closely with fans, residents, local authorities and the wider community in the months ahead.
The club is bringing forward its initial thinking in partnership with Clowes Developments, a commercial developer with experience delivering high-quality schemes that support local economies and employment opportunities. SACFC says the nature of any associated development is still being carefully considered, with a focus on minimising impact and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Further engagement and a full consultation are expected to begin this summer, ahead of a formal planning application being submitted early next year.
A club spokesperson added: “A well-planned enabling development is being carefully considered to help fund the stadium and community facilities and will be designed to respect the local area, minimise impact and add lasting value.
“The specific details of the enabling development are yet to be confirmed as the application is in its early stages, but any enabling development that would be delivered would be commercial and employment led.”
