Bridgwater United Women FC announced this morning that The Hand Stadium in Clevedon will be their new home from the start of the 2025/26 season. With a 3,500 capacity and a prime location just off the M5, the stadium will host all of the club’s home games moving forward.
Described by the club as a key part of their new Three-Year Strategy, the move aims to provide the best possible environment for players, fans, and partners in the FA Women’s National League (FA WNL).
Now under the ownership of the North Somerset Sports Foundation, The Hand Stadium has exciting development plans in the pipeline. These include upgraded catering options, new executive areas, extra seating, and even the potential introduction of a new pitch surface. This builds on what’s already there — including a separate 3G pitch and an on-site gym.
The stadium is also home to Clevedon Town FC, currently second in the men’s Jewson Western Football League. It already ticks all the boxes for FA WNL ground grading and boasts plenty of covered seating, high-quality player and medical facilities, a clubhouse, a hospitality suite, and ample parking.
A spokesperson for Bridgwater United Women FC said: “Having a proper home that reflects who we are as a club is really important to us. We’ve had a few seasons without a stable base, but we’ve stayed focused on our future as a dedicated women’s club – and this move feels like a big step forward.”
The club’s recent journey has been far from straightforward. After Yeovil Town Women became independent in 2021 and transitioned into Bridgwater United, the rebrand was met with excitement. Big plans were announced, including upgrades to the stadium, and the team even hosted a memorable FA Cup tie against Manchester United. However, soon after, the team suffered relegation from the FA WNL Southern Premier Division and currently compete in the fourth tier.
Things became more turbulent in early 2024, when club directors Tony McCarthy, Mike Kushner, and Adam Murry decided to take the club in a new direction. Adam Murry stepped away from the women’s club and focused on other interests, including the men’s team, Bridgwater Community Sports Trust, Fairfax Park, and the associated land on Bristol Road. These assets were sold, but later, Tony and Mike discovered that key aspects of the sale were inaccurate and misleading.
As a result, Bridgwater United Women were left without a home ground, with their access to Fairfax Park revoked while a third of the season’s home fixtures still remained. Thanks to the support of the FA, a local National League club, educational partners and in-house discussions, a resolution was found and the team managed to complete the season and finish in a solid mid-table position.
Now, a year later, the team has once again finished mid-table in FA WNL Division One South West. While that may seem disappointing on paper, given the chaos behind the scenes, it’s a testament to the club’s resilience. With AFC Bournemouth earning promotion and creating a potential power vacuum in the league, there’s every reason to believe Bridgwater United Women can regroup, recruit well this summer, and push for a title challenge next season.
With all the recent changes, it’s also fair to wonder what the future holds for the club’s identity. Could this be the beginning of a rebrand as Clevedon Town WFC? Perhaps. But more than anything, what the club truly needs is a fresh start — and, finally, some long-term stability.
