Save The Camrose Football Ground – Bring Football Back to Basingstoke
The Issue
Basingstoke deserves its football heritage. The Camrose deserves a future.
For more than 70 years, The Camrose Football Ground was at the heart of sporting life in Basingstoke. It was a place where football brought people together, where generations of supporters created lasting memories, and where the town's sporting identity grew.
For many people, The Camrose is much more than a football ground. It is part of Basingstoke's history, its identity and its community.
Today, that historic ground stands empty.
We believe it is time to give The Camrose a future worthy of its past.
A community asset worth protecting
The Camrose has a long and important history in Basingstoke. The land was originally gifted for sporting purposes and has been recognised as an Asset of Community Value, reflecting its importance to local people.
Yet there is a real concern that this historic sporting ground could be lost to housing development.
Once a football ground is built over, the opportunities it provides for sport, recreation and community life are lost. We cannot simply recreate the history, memories and sense of belonging that The Camrose has provided for generations.
We recognise that Basingstoke needs new homes and that development has an important role to play in the town's future. However, we also believe that protecting valuable community spaces, sporting facilities and our local heritage must be part of that future.
The question is not simply what can be built on The Camrose, but what could be achieved by bringing it back to life.
Lord Camrose, the Covenant and the original purpose of the land
The history of The Camrose is closely connected to Lord Camrose, whose generosity helped establish the ground as an important sporting asset for Basingstoke.
The land was gifted for sporting purposes, with a Covenant reflecting the intention that it should serve the community through sport and recreation.
That original purpose is an important part of The Camrose's heritage and should not be overlooked when considering its future.
We believe every effort should be made to respect the intentions behind the original gift and to explore how the ground can once again fulfil its role as a sporting and community asset for the people of Basingstoke.
Bring football back to The Camrose
Imagine The Camrose once again becoming a place where football is played, supporters gather and young people have opportunities to develop their skills.
With the right vision, the ground could become a valuable community sports facility, providing opportunities for:
- Grassroots football and local sporting clubs.
- Young people to participate in sport and develop their confidence.
- Community activities that bring residents together.
- Health, fitness and wellbeing initiatives.
- Future generations to enjoy the sporting heritage of Basingstoke.
- Restoring The Camrose would not simply preserve a piece of the town's past. It would create opportunities for the future.
Our call to action
We are calling on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the landowners and all relevant decision-makers to work together with the local community to secure a positive and sustainable future for The Camrose Football Ground.
We ask that every reasonable effort is made to:
- Protect The Camrose from permanent loss to development.
- Explore the restoration of football and sporting use at the site.
- Investigate opportunities for community ownership, partnership or investment.
- Ensure that local residents have a meaningful opportunity to contribute to its future.
- Recognise the importance of preserving Basingstoke's sporting heritage for generations to come.
- We believe there is an opportunity to turn an empty and historic ground into something that once again benefits the whole town.
Please support our petition
The Camrose has served Basingstoke for more than 70 years.
It has provided memories, sporting opportunities and a sense of community that should not be forgotten.
Now is the time to stand together and call for a future that respects that history while creating new opportunities for generations to come.
Please sign and share this petition.
Every signature helps demonstrate that The Camrose matters to the people of Basingstoke.
Save The Camrose Football Ground.
Protect our sporting heritage.
Bring football back to Basingstoke.
Follow the Campaign
📘 Facebook Page
👥 Facebook Group
📸 Instagram
🎥 YouTube
📢 WhatsApp Channel
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The Issue
Basingstoke deserves its football heritage. The Camrose deserves a future.
For more than 70 years, The Camrose Football Ground was at the heart of sporting life in Basingstoke. It was a place where football brought people together, where generations of supporters created lasting memories, and where the town's sporting identity grew.
For many people, The Camrose is much more than a football ground. It is part of Basingstoke's history, its identity and its community.
Today, that historic ground stands empty.
We believe it is time to give The Camrose a future worthy of its past.
A community asset worth protecting
The Camrose has a long and important history in Basingstoke. The land was originally gifted for sporting purposes and has been recognised as an Asset of Community Value, reflecting its importance to local people.
Yet there is a real concern that this historic sporting ground could be lost to housing development.
Once a football ground is built over, the opportunities it provides for sport, recreation and community life are lost. We cannot simply recreate the history, memories and sense of belonging that The Camrose has provided for generations.
We recognise that Basingstoke needs new homes and that development has an important role to play in the town's future. However, we also believe that protecting valuable community spaces, sporting facilities and our local heritage must be part of that future.
The question is not simply what can be built on The Camrose, but what could be achieved by bringing it back to life.
Lord Camrose, the Covenant and the original purpose of the land
The history of The Camrose is closely connected to Lord Camrose, whose generosity helped establish the ground as an important sporting asset for Basingstoke.
The land was gifted for sporting purposes, with a Covenant reflecting the intention that it should serve the community through sport and recreation.
That original purpose is an important part of The Camrose's heritage and should not be overlooked when considering its future.
We believe every effort should be made to respect the intentions behind the original gift and to explore how the ground can once again fulfil its role as a sporting and community asset for the people of Basingstoke.
Bring football back to The Camrose
Imagine The Camrose once again becoming a place where football is played, supporters gather and young people have opportunities to develop their skills.
With the right vision, the ground could become a valuable community sports facility, providing opportunities for:
- Grassroots football and local sporting clubs.
- Young people to participate in sport and develop their confidence.
- Community activities that bring residents together.
- Health, fitness and wellbeing initiatives.
- Future generations to enjoy the sporting heritage of Basingstoke.
- Restoring The Camrose would not simply preserve a piece of the town's past. It would create opportunities for the future.
Our call to action
We are calling on Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the landowners and all relevant decision-makers to work together with the local community to secure a positive and sustainable future for The Camrose Football Ground.
We ask that every reasonable effort is made to:
- Protect The Camrose from permanent loss to development.
- Explore the restoration of football and sporting use at the site.
- Investigate opportunities for community ownership, partnership or investment.
- Ensure that local residents have a meaningful opportunity to contribute to its future.
- Recognise the importance of preserving Basingstoke's sporting heritage for generations to come.
- We believe there is an opportunity to turn an empty and historic ground into something that once again benefits the whole town.
Please support our petition
The Camrose has served Basingstoke for more than 70 years.
It has provided memories, sporting opportunities and a sense of community that should not be forgotten.
Now is the time to stand together and call for a future that respects that history while creating new opportunities for generations to come.
Please sign and share this petition.
Every signature helps demonstrate that The Camrose matters to the people of Basingstoke.
Save The Camrose Football Ground.
Protect our sporting heritage.
Bring football back to Basingstoke.
Follow the Campaign
📘 Facebook Page
👥 Facebook Group
📸 Instagram
🎥 YouTube
📢 WhatsApp Channel
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Petition created on 3 November 2026