Xcel Sports Hub, Walton & Hersham FC

Statement 4 September

Walton & Hersham FC home fixture on 5 September 

Following discussions with Walton & Hersham FC and assurances around fan behaviour, Places Leisure and Elmbridge Borough Council have confirmed that the bars at Xcel Sports Hub will be open for the club's home game on Saturday 5 September. The intention is for the bars to remain available for future home matches as Walton and Hersham FC, Places Leisure and Elmbridge Borough Council continue to work together to agree future arrangements that support the club's long-term development.  

Places Leisure and the council remain committed to constructive discussions to support the club while ensuring the facility remains safe and welcoming for all users. 

The bars were closed during Walton and Hersham Football Club's home game on Saturday 29 August after allegations of intimidating and abusive behaviour by a small number of supporters towards Places Leisure staff at the two previous home fixtures.

 

Statement 27 August

Update on Walton & Hersham FC’s home fixture on 29 August

The Xcel Sports Hub bars will be closed for the home game of Walton and Hersham Football Club on Saturday 29 August after the club was sent a letter following recent allegations of intimidating and abusive behaviour by a small number of their supporters towards Places Leisure staff. 

The club uses the Xcel Sports Hub, at a reduced rate, for training and matchdays, with supporters able to access the bars. The Sports Hub, including the bars, is a council facility operated and managed by social enterprise Places Leisure, which incurs all associated costs with its running including staffing, utilities, cleaning, maintenance, and asset investment.

After these costs including staffing, running and maintaining the bars, they generate a modest income each month. The bars are operated and funded by Places Leisure and are used for a range of events throughout the year, not just football matches.

Places Leisure is a social enterprise meaning that it does not have private owners or shareholders and all profits are invested back into the facility as well as supporting communities and local projects.

This year, Elmbridge Borough Council invested £300,000 to replace the 3G football pitch to enable the club to take its place in the National League South. Places Leisure has also invested over £82,000 in a new bar and other improvements throughout the facility.

An Elmbridge Borough Council spokesperson said: "The safety and wellbeing of staff must always come first. Unfortunately, alleged incidents involving aggressive and abusive behaviour towards leisure centre employees by a small number of supporters have led to this action being taken. Everyone using council facilities should be treated with respect, and we recognise that the vast majority of fans attend matches responsibly and contribute positively to the matchday atmosphere.

“Walton & Hersham FC is an important part of our local community, and we have consistently supported the club both financially and operationally. This includes funding significant maintenance, cleaning, utility and operating costs, as well as investing in a new artificial pitch that benefits both the club and the wider community. We remain committed to supporting Walton & Hersham FC's future success, but that must be built on respectful, constructive relationships and a safe environment for staff, customers and all facility users."

Other refreshments are still available from the pitchside catering vans.

Statement 13 August 

Elmbridge Borough Council has been supporting Walton and Hersham FC in their preparation for the start of the new football season, including funding the recently completed new £300,000 3G pitch, providing a high-quality facility that will support the club as it competes at a higher level. The council’s leisure contractor, Places Leisure has also made an offer of sponsorship to support their growth.

In recent correspondence the council has been disappointed that the club are refusing to re-sign their hire (Key User) agreement and are attempting to pass additional match day costs onto the council including stewarding costs for the first home game. These costs have been met by the club, or any other external hirer since the facility opened in 2017.

The council has reminded the club that this remains their responsibility, and this has been endorsed by Surrey Fire and Rescue’s Sports Stadium & Spectator Safety Officer who has overall responsibility for match day safety. 

The club is asking the council to directly subsidise the semi-professional football club which is a private company. This is not something the council is in a position to do, the council must act responsibly when spending public money.

Throughout this period, the club has been advised that its existing hire agreement remains in place, or if the club prefers a short-term hire agreement can be arranged for the first few games of the season while these negotiations conclude. 

As far as the council, Places Leisure and the Sports Stadium & Spectator Safety Officer is concerned, there is no reason that the league fixtures scheduled for this Saturday or Tuesday could not go ahead as normal subject to these actions being addressed. This reflects the council's ongoing commitment to supporting the club and working collaboratively towards a sustainable future for all parties.

Discussions regarding future commercial arrangements between the club, Places Leisure and the council remain ongoing. 

We remain committed to working positively with Walton & Hersham FC and Places Leisure to support the club's continued success while ensuring that Xcel Sports Hub continues to serve the needs of the wider community.

We would also encourage the club as a Key User at the Sports Hub to recognise the support the council has already provided to the club, and to engage in positive and constructive dialogue to find a workable position that all parties can sign up to and not to carry out a campaign through social media, the press and the clubs fan forum.

4 August

We welcome the strong support shown for Walton & Hersham FC through the recent petition and recognise the important role the club plays in the local community.  

Elmbridge Borough Council remains committed to supporting Walton & Hersham FC and would like to provide an update on the work currently underway to support the club's future ambitions. This includes exploring stadium improvements through the appropriate planning, legal and safety processes.

Together with Places Leisure, we are also exploring opportunities to help the club grow its revenue streams in line with the necessary legal, planning and safety requirements.

This work recognises both the club's ambitions and the fact that Xcel Sports Hub was designed to serve the wider community.

Our commitment to the club is demonstrated by the recent £300,000 investment in a new pitch at Xcel Sports Hub, helping Walton & Hersham FC build on its success while ensuring a high-quality facility remains available for the wider community.

The council and Places Leisure look forward to continuing positive and constructive discussions with the club to support its future ambitions and ensure that Xcel Sports Hub continues to deliver lasting benefits for both Walton & Hersham FC and the wider Elmbridge community.

24 June 2026

Work to replace the synthetic turf pitch (STP) at Xcel Sports Hub is well underway as preparations continue for the 2026/27 season. 

The £300,000 investment by the council will provide a high-quality playing surface to support Walton & Hersham FC following their promotion to the National League South. 

The new pitch will also continue to benefit the many local clubs, community groups and residents who use the facility throughout the year. 

11 June 2026

We’re aware of Walton & Hersham Football Club’s concerns about their financial security following their recent promotion. Elmbridge Borough Council, working with Places Leisure, continues to support the Club in many ways. This includes:

• a reduced hourly hire charge
• inviting the club to become an active member of the leisure contract community forum to support the football in the community scheme
• covering all maintenance, cleaning, running and utility costs
• helping to grow sponsorship opportunities
• exclusive Banner Sponsorship arrangement for the Sports Hub site
• and recently investing £300,000 in a new playing surface to enable the Club to compete at a higher level

While we want to help the Club succeed, the Xcel Sports Hub is a community facility used and valued by many local people as can be seen by attracting 200,000+ visits last year.

We need to make sure it continues to serve a wide range of users.

We will continue working with the Club to explore additional income opportunities, while making sure Xcel Sports Hub remains an important, well‑used facility for the whole community.