We are delighted to share some fantastic news – our historic benches have officially returned to The New Croft!
Originally from the old Haverhill Rovers football ground at The Hamlet Croft, these benches hold a special place in Rovers history. The benches – estimated to have been built around 1950s – were first refurbished in August 2010 by Taylor’s Foundry, a traditional casting manufacturer in Haverhill to mark the opening of The New Croft ground, and now, thanks to their continued support, they have been beautifully restored once again.
At the start of this year, we reached out to Taylor’s Foundry as the benches had fallen into a poor state of repair. In a wonderful show of community collaboration, they generously agreed to sponsor half of the costs for a full refurbishment.
The newly refurbished benches have now been placed on the new 3G pitch, providing a comfortable spot for parents and spectators to use while children are enjoying their football sessions and matches. We kindly ask all visitors to respect the incredible workmanship that has gone into restoring these benches and to avoid using them for scraping boots or other activities that could cause damage.
Peter Betts, CEO of The New Croft, said: “The return of these benches is a wonderful moment for The New Croft, Rovers and the Haverhill football community. They are a symbol of our sporting heritage, and thanks to the incredible generosity and craftsmanship of Taylor’s Foundry, they have been restored to their former glory. We are proud to provide a space where history and community come together, and we hope everyone will take care of these benches so they can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
