New ground will not change Broadbridge Heath's successful philosophy

Broadbridge Heath will not change their philosophy on developing their young talent at as they look to become even more of '˜one club.'
Broadbridge Heath new ground site viewBroadbridge Heath new ground site view
Broadbridge Heath new ground site view

Planning permission for a new permanent home of their own was granted by Horsham District Council last month.

It will breath a new lease of life into the club, but get them away from the old long-running lease with Broadbridge Heath Leisure Centre.

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The club has already climbed to the highest they have ever been in the footballing pyramid with the constraints of not owning their own ground.

Broadbridge Heath new ground pavilion plansBroadbridge Heath new ground pavilion plans
Broadbridge Heath new ground pavilion plans

First team manager Steven Painter now believes that the sky is the limit for Heath as a proper ‘community’ club.

The Bears have always prided themselves on promoting from within and developing young players and Painter says because that DNA has brought them success - even with the opportunity of now having money available through their own revenue streams - they will continue to along that pathway.

He explained: “The good thing for us was that we started planning off the pitch a long time ago and there are plenty of things going on at the football club at the moment. We want to bring the whole club together, that’s the main aim.

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“It’s a massive, massive boost for us. I have said to our committee, one reason I joined here in the first place was the promise of a new ground and who knows where it can take us.

Broadbridge Heath new ground pavilion plansBroadbridge Heath new ground pavilion plans
Broadbridge Heath new ground pavilion plans

“One remit from the chairman Keith Soane was when we got the new ground, we needed to be playing at a level where we could maintain the standard to take the club forwards.

“We have managed to achieve that and have got to a level in County 1 where we can get what we deserve.

“The good thing is that it brings the whole club together. The plan is now for us to be one club not a senior and junior section. It’s Broadbridge Heath Community Football Club now, that’s the word for me - community. We have big plans and want to do things the right way.

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“I have told all the other club’s managers my plans and what we want to put in place and it’s not a case of are we going to do it now? We are going to do it.”

And while the new facilities are sure to attract new players, Heath are keen to stick to what they know.

Painter added: “It also gives us a boost in attracting players as long as we are doings things right, but our club has always had to rely on juniors coming through and that is the right way.

“Our philosophy will not change, that is our DNA, bringing players through from under-six level to play in the first team. I have said that to our youth team managers, that will not change.

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“Recently at Shoreham we had nine juniors in our squad of 14 that had come all the way through from the juniors, that’s impressive. There is not one club in the county that can say that. The majority of players that leave always come back and there is a reason for that; we are a friendly football club and we try and do things the right way.

“We have not got the resources of other clubs and going forwards because of that our philosophy and DNA will benefit us, anything we do have will be benefit. We have no plans to pay players. I am quite proud I can look at other managers and say that nine players are playing that came through our juniors.”