Whitehill & Bordon FC are appealing to the public to help them improve their historic Daly Ground home.

The club - formed as recently as 2021 - started life at BOSC in Bolley Avenue but needed a ground of their own to progress up the non-league pyramid.

Army football was played at the Daly Ground in Budds Lane for decades but it sat unused after the garrison left in 2015.

The large seated stand at the ground was removed some years later by the Army but the floodlights remained, making it the prime target for Whitehill & Bordon of the Hampshire Premier Football League Senior Division.

They first revealed the idea in May 2023, in the wake of a 7-0 win away to Queens Keep Southampton, and work to revive the Daly Ground began in July 2024.

In a statement, the club said: “A huge amount of behind-the-scenes work has gone into bringing the pitch and surrounding area back to life. From cutting back overgrowth and fixing up fences to clearing the way for safe access, it’s been a real team effort.

“We were proud to host a few senior fixtures at the ground at the end of last season - a small but significant milestone. To see football being played once again in the heart of the town was something special, not just for the club but for the wider community.”

Football returned to the ground on March 29 this year, but Colden Common took the points with a 3-1 victory. The next game at the Daly Ground brought Whitehill & Bordon’s first win there, 5-2 over Harvest, and four more matches were played there before the end of the season.

Now the club are anticipating a busy few weeks in the build-up to the start of 2025-26 in August.

The statement added: “While we’ve made great progress, there’s still a long way to go to bring the Daly Ground up to modern match day standards.

“As a club, we’re ambitious about the future. To progress through the football league system, we need facilities that meet ground grading requirements - from secure perimeters to better access and improved amenities. The Daly Ground gives us the opportunity to meet those standards over time, and it’s a vital part of our long-term plan.

“This summer, we’ll be hosting a series of volunteer days to continue improving the site, from installing fencing to pitch-side work and a general clean-up. Full details will be shared soon.

“We’re calling on local businesses, tradespeople and supporters to get involved. Whether it’s through sponsorship, material donations, equipment or volunteer help, every contribution - big or small - makes a real difference.”

Anyone who can help should email [email protected]

The Daly Ground - now lying within the grounds of Oakmoor School - was named in honour of Colonel Commandant A C Daly, who was appointed in June 1919.

It was the focal point for military football in Bordon, hosting matches, tournaments and events that brought troops together and built lasting camaraderie.

The statement concluded: “That spirit of unity and purpose still inspires what we’re trying to achieve today.

“This ground holds special memories, a place where the Army football team played during a time when Bordon was a proud garrison town.

“We’re excited about what lies ahead and we hope this is just the beginning of a new chapter at the Daly Ground.”