On Saturday 20th August 2022, Tonbridge Angels Football Club will formally open its new 3G pitch when the first team host National League South side, Hampton & Richmond Borough.

The new FIFA certified 3G pitch has been installed during the close season with the aim of creating a new state of the art football facility in the heart of the Tonbridge community. 

The 3G pitch will provide a first-class training and playing surface, not only for the Tonbridge Angels first team, but many other youth, women’s and disability teams from the wider community. The pitch will also help to generate important income for Tonbridge Angels to ensure the long-term sustainability for this supporter owned football club. 

The investment in the new facility has totalled £650,000 with £400,000 raised through the club’s innovative Angels Investor scheme, with over twenty-five supporters and members of the local community contributing to the fund.

The remaining balance needed for the project was funded by the club’s main sponsor and local businessman Michael Canham, who is a director of Tonbridge based construction firm, A B Canham and Fernham Homes. 

Michael has dedicated his investment in this stunning community football facility to his late friend and well-known Tonbridge photographer, Richard Bass, who tragically died from coronavirus in April 2020.

Michael Canham said, “I wanted to help to create a lasting legacy in the Tonbridge community in memory of Richard Bass and felt that supporting Tonbridge Angels achieve their aspiration of a new 3G pitch would be a fitting tribute to my friend. 

Michael added, “Richard photographed many events down at the club and his daughter, my goddaughter, Poppy Bass, is a keen footballer herself and plays for Tonbridge Juniors. Richard would have been very proud of this amazing facility in Tonbridge and seeing so many local young people from all backgrounds enjoy football in this inspiring environment.”

Tonbridge Angels Football Club director, Phil Broad, who led the 3G pitch project said, “On behalf of the club, I would like to thank Michael Canham and our amazing group of Angels Investors for all that they have contributed to our ambitious 3G pitch project. This is the most significant and important development at Tonbridge Angels since the club’s move to Longmead in 1980 and will help to create a sustainable future. Thanks to all our investors, our fantastic supporters and the many volunteers at the club, we have a community facility everyone in Tonbridge can be proud of.”

At the opening of the new 3G pitch on Saturday 20th August, fifteen year old Poppy Bass, will lead out the Tonbridge Angels team as a tribute to her late father, Richard. Poppy and Michael Canham will then formally open the pitch by cutting a ribbon between the two new dug outs with Richard’s wife Jenny and the Bass family present.