How Foulston Park will support Argyle Women
Welcome back to this month’s blog on the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Brickfields, now called Foulston Park. This month we will be focusing on how Foulston Park will support Plymouth Argyle Women FC.
Foulston Park will be home to the Plymouth Argyle Academy, Plymouth Argyle Women’s team, Plymouth Albion and the Argyle Community Trust, alongside extensive community and sporting facilities for the city when it opens its doors.
The major redevelopment is a critical asset for the club as part of its wider mission and vision for success, and long-term financial sustainability.
Argyle Women play in the third tier of English football, and it has been a significant achievement to reach that level, and to sustain a presence there. Now, it is time for the next steps in the evolution in women’s football in Plymouth, and the South West.
The 2024/25 season has already been a history-making one for Argyle Women. The team officially came under the club’s umbrella in the summer preceding the campaign and have played the majority of their home games at Home Park this season.
In addition, for the first time, several players have signed contracts, legitimising their participation and offering protection for both player and club.
Foulston Park will soon become home for the Women’s team. Over recent seasons, the team have lived a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, trying to find suitable venues to not only play fixtures, but to train. The search for venues which are not only available, but fit league requirements, has seen Argyle Women playing as far away at Newton Abbot, 35 miles away.
Everyone needs a sense of belonging; somewhere you call ‘home’. While Argyle Women’s players are undoubtedly proud to play at Home Park, the chance to be part of a development that from day one can be considered their own is an exciting one.
The up-to-date facilities present the squad with a chance to further develop their stance as part of the FA Women’s National League pyramid, as women’s football continues to grow across the whole UK. Foulston Park will offer a place to train, prepare, play and develop.
Manchester City, Chelsea and an array of other clubs have a true home for their women’s side and now, Argyle will have the same.
Women’s captain Giota Papaioannou said: “As a squad, we are extremely excited to call Foulston Park our home for the future. We’d like to send our thanks to everyone at the club for allowing us to have all the opportunities at Home Park, as we’ve all created strong memories and developed as players, but to now have somewhere to call home, is something we’re all extremely grateful for.
“This a great opportunity for us as the women’s team as a whole, but it also highlights the club’s commitment to progress and equality. We’ve seen some of the steps already take place in the last six months, after coming under the umbrella, but this is another step in the right direction.
“Not only is it great for us, but it’s great for everyone involved – the club, Academy, Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth Albion and more – and we’re extremely proud and excited to be a part of it.”
Update on the Foulston Park construction
Following our update last month, work has continued to progress with the COPAC equipment container relocated successfully to the new area adjacent to the running track. The car park has been prepared for works to commence in mid-January. Also, excavation work for the access road into the site is underway and is approximately one-third complete.
The site will close on 20 December, and works will recommence on 6 January. If there is an emergency during this period, please contact Adam Crichton, Whitebox Construction Director, on 07710 704336.
Looking ahead to next month (January 2025), temporary welfare facilities for site workers, including offices, will arrive on 6 January, with the utilities being installed on the same day.