Finchampstead Road occupies a prized place in the sporting memory of Wokingham. For much of the 20th century the ground was the focal point for local football, the base for Wokingham Town FC — affectionately known as the Sumas — until the site was sold to developers in 1999 and the club subsequently merged to become Wokingham & Emmbrook in 2004.
Early glamour: Chelsea and a new grandstand
One of the earliest high-profile moments at Finchampstead Road came after the club bought the ground in 1926. In 1928 a new grandstand and pavilion were erected at the reported cost of £630. To mark the opening, the club staged a prestige friendly against First Division side Chelsea FC. Around 900 supporters attended to see the West London professionals, who won the match 5-2. The fixture gave local fans an unusual opportunity to see top-tier players on their doorstep and helped raise the ground's profile beyond Berkshire.
Later visits and famous opponents
Finchampstead Road did not only host interwar attractions. Decades later Wokingham Town again welcomed Chelsea for a friendly in the early 1990s. That match featured a blend of soon-to-be household names and notorious characters: a young left-back, Graham Le Saux, was among those displaying early promise, while Vinnie Jones — famed for his uncompromising style — was also on the pitch, bringing a very different reputation to Berkshire for the day.
- 1926: Club purchases Finchampstead Road.
- 1928: New grandstand and pavilion opened; friendly vs Chelsea (approx. 900 attendance).
- Early 1990s: Friendly against Chelsea including Graham Le Saux and Vinnie Jones.
- 1999: Ground sold to developers.
- 2004: Wokingham Town merges to form Wokingham & Emmbrook.
"Wokingham Town FC – now affectionately known as the Sumas – enjoyed some truly golden eras."
Local legacy and continued interest
The ground at Finchampstead Road served both as a sporting venue and as a communal gathering place across generations. Matches against well-known professional sides provided a rare window for local supporters to witness top-level football without travelling. Those occasions remain part of local lore and contribute to the wider story of non-league football in the region.
| Year | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1928 | Ground opening friendly | Chelsea, approx. 900 spectators |
| Early 1990s | Friendly | Chelsea; included Graham Le Saux and Vinnie Jones |
| 1999 | Ground sold | Sale to developers |
| 2004 | Club merger | Formation of Wokingham & Emmbrook |
For residents and supporters today, those fixtures are reminders of a period when local and national football intersected more visibly. The sale of Finchampstead Road and the later merger altered the landscape of football in Wokingham, but the memories of high‑profile visitors and the early grandstand opening remain an important chapter in the town's sporting heritage.
