We, the undersigned, call on Nailsea Town Council’s Environment & Leisure Committee to formally object to the proposed sale or transfer of the Fryth Way lease by Nailsea & Tickenham FC to the Clevedon-based club Swiss Valley.

This decision must prioritise Nailsea residents, local children, and the long-term future of grassroots football in our town.

 
We ask the Environment & Leisure Committee to:

Raise a formal objection to the proposed lease transfer to an external club
Ensure a full and transparent consultation with local stakeholders, including Nailsea Junior FC and other community groups
Prioritise keeping Fryth Way in local hands, with guaranteed access for Nailsea residents
Explore community-led or locally focused alternatives that better serve the town’s growing demand for youth football
 
Why this matters
Nailsea’s children are already being turned away
Nailsea Junior FC supports over 400 local children, yet the club has now had to close waiting lists across nearly all age groups due to a lack of facilities.

This is not a future problem — it is happening now.

 
Facilities in Nailsea are stretched beyond capacity
Youth football in Nailsea is spread across multiple sites just to function:

Matches played at Backwell School, Scotch Horn and Greenfield Crescent
Training held at Nailsea School and Backwell School
But there are serious limitations:

No FA matches can be hosted at Nailsea School due to pitch restrictions
No proper clubhouse at Greenfield Crescent, with only a deteriorating structure in use
Despite the efforts of volunteers, the town simply does not have enough suitable facilities.

 
At a time when Nailsea’s young people are being turned away from football, it is deeply concerning that a key facility may be handed to a club based outside the town.

Fryth Way should be part of the solution — not removed from local use.

 
Local stakeholders were not properly included
Despite being the largest football club in Nailsea, Nailsea Junior FC was not included in direct discussions about the future of this important community asset.

That is not acceptable for a decision of this scale.

 
Community interest must come before technicalities
Suggestions that simply retaining the word “Nailsea” in a team name would address concerns do not reflect reality.

This is about:

Who controls the facility
Who benefits from it
Whether Nailsea children can actually access it
 
Transparency and accountability are essential
Concerns have been raised about communications suggesting that financial arrangements may be linked to the absence of objections.

Even the perception of this is unacceptable. Decisions about community assets must be:

Open
Transparent
Clearly in the public interest
 
Now is the time for leadership
Grassroots sport in Nailsea is run by volunteers. Facilities are limited. Demand is rising.

At moments like this, the Environment & Leisure Committee must act in the best interests of the town.

Fryth Way represents a vital opportunity to support local children, families, and future generations.

 
Call to action
If you believe that:

Nailsea’s children should have access to sport in their own town
Community facilities should serve the local community first
Local voices should be heard in local decisions
👉 Please sign this petition today and share it widely.