Persistent drainage issues and declining surface quality meant football had effectively disappeared from the site, despite its long-standing importance to the local community.

In 2024, the Trust engaged with the Grounds Management Association (GMA) through Durham County FA, initiating a PitchPower assessment that rated both pitches as ‘poor’. It confirmed the need for a structured, long-term approach to improvement. As Durham FA’s Joe Dredge explains, “After an 8-year absence of no football, it was Sue who reached out to the Durham FA in 2024 asking for help to improve this pitch and make it playable once again.”

Following a site visit from Chris Hunter, GMA Regional Pitch Advisor (Football - North East), supported by the GMA’s Turf Care Advisory team, the GMA provided clear guidance on how to bring the pitches back into sustainable use.

Chris Hunter said: "It’s been great to see the progress at Charlie Wayman Playing Fields. Securing their own machinery and taking control of the maintenance has been a real turning point, allowing the site to be managed consistently and sustainably.

"Bringing pitches back into play at a time when demand is so high is hugely valuable for the local community, and this project shows what can be achieved with the right approach and commitment."

Rather than pursuing immediate and costly drainage works, the recommendation was to focus on consistent maintenance to improve surface quality. A tailored maintenance programme was developed, including goal mouth repairs, decompaction, deep slitting, surface grooming, overseeding and fertilising.

Throughout the project, the GMA and Durham County FA offered ongoing support, helping the Trust understand where funding would be best spent and how improvements could be delivered effectively over time. Joe Dredge highlights the scale of the challenge behind the scenes, noting that “despite many technical issues around the application stage, Sue persevered to help the Chilton Miners' Welfare (Charity Trust) secure this grant.”

With this support in place, the Charity Trust secured funding through the Football Foundation’s Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund and Machinery Grant. The funding enabled the purchase of essential equipment, including a tractor, Quadraplay and deep slitter, allowing the maintenance programme to be delivered in-house. As Joe Dredge puts it, “Sue's patience and persistence is what secured almost £85,000 in funding to resurrect the Charlie Wayman Playing Fields in Chilton.”

The impact has been clear to those using the pitches. Chilton Juniors FC, who use the site on a rotational basis, have seen a dramatic improvement. Chairman Richard Hooper says that “the condition of the Charlie Wayman pitches is as good as I've ever seen in their 20-year existence.” He adds, “The regular maintenance and hard work carried out by Dave and all other volunteers has enabled games to go ahead which would never have been possible under these weather conditions a few years ago.”

For senior football, the improvement in consistency and playability has been equally significant. Chilton Club FC Manager Martin Overend says, “the playing surface is as good as any grass pitch we have played on this season,” adding that “the regular cutting and general maintenance is paying dividend with only severe weather conditions causing postponements.”

At junior level, the transformation has enhanced the experience for young players. Chilton Juniors FC U14s Coach Jay Leary says “gone are the days of knee high grass, mole hills and divets. The work undertaken by the Miners Welfare team is truly appreciated,” and that “the quality of the pitch has allowed the kids to play football on good surfaces and not worry about poor conditions.”

The most recent PitchPower report, completed in December 2025, has really highlighted the effectiveness of the maintenance-led approach recommended by the GMA. Both pitches are now rated ‘Good’, a two-band improvement from their previous ‘Poor’ rating. The site now supports 13 teams, with Chilton Club FC and Chilton Juniors FC accessing the site.

Cllr Sue Reece, Chair of the Miners’ Welfare Grounds Charity Trust, reflects on the wider journey, explaining that “the Miners Welfare Recreation Ground trustees have, over the last 12-18 months, worked with Durham FA and the Grounds Maintenance Association to assess the conditions of the pitches and deliver a long-term maintenance programme with the support of the Football Foundation Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund.”

She adds that “the groundwork being led by Trustee David English supported by valuable advice from Joe Dredge and Dan McElhone (Durham FA) and Chris Hunter (Grounds Management Association),” has been central to the project, adding, “thank you to Joe, Dan, Chris and David, alongside the great working partnership with Chilton Juniors FC and Chilton Club FC, we have realise the town’s ambition, following in the footsteps of the other great Chilton clubs and legends, including Sam Hartnell and Charlie Wayman, to get football back on the Charlie Wayman Field.”

Restoring football to the Charlie Wayman Field carries particular significance. Established in 1925, the Miners’ Welfare Recreation Ground was created through contributions from local miners who gave a “penny a ton” from their wages to support social wellbeing and recreation.