Windsor FC withdraw from league to focus on 'ambitious ground project'

Photo credit: Trophy Photography

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A statement from the Combined Counties League has confirmed Windsor’s withdrawal from the competition for the 2025/26 season.

Windsor are yet to make an official statement on the decision, but the league has been advised the club has effectively been put into furlough while work takes place to secure an ‘ambitious new ground development project’.

What that project is, or whether it ever comes to fruition remains to be seen, but the club has decided to focus its resources on securing land for such a move over entering the league next season.

The Combined Counties statement read: “The club has advised that this decision is part of a strategic shift, as they focus their efforts and resources on an ambitious new ground development project.

“This initiative is intended to strengthen the club’s long-term foundations and support future growth and sustainability.

“The League acknowledges the significant work already undertaken to prepare the fixture list following the delayed release of fixtures for Step 4 and above.

“While Windsor FC’s withdrawal will cause some disruption, we are working hard to finalise the revised schedule and expect to release fixtures beyond the opening weeks very shortly.

“We thank all clubs and supporters for their patience and understanding at this time Board of Directors for the Combined Counties Football League.”

LEAGUE STATEMENT

Windsor FC Withdraw from the League for 2025–2026 Season

The League has today received formal notification from Windsor FC confirming their withdrawal from the competition for the 2025–2026 season.

The club has advised that this decision is part of a… pic.twitter.com/fdgxsSchZM

— Combined Counties Football League (@ComCoFL) July 23, 2025

Windsor’s recent history has been turbulent following their sudden departure from their old home at Stag Meadow in 2023.

The Jacks - as they’ve come to be known in the past two seasons - had a rolling lease with the Crown Estate to use Stag Meadow but were never able to negotiate a longer-term lease which would have enabled them to grow and expand at that venue.

Instead, the Crown Estate offered that long term lease to Windsor & Eton FC, a newly established team owned by former Windsor boss and player Mark Cooper.

They’ve been able to capitalise on that by claiming back-to-back promotions for the men’s first team and have also celebrated league titles this season for their vets’ side and women’s team.

Alongside this, the Royalists have developed a vibrant youth system.

In contrast, Windsor FC had to move fast to secure a ground share solution with Beaconsfield Town and have played their home matches at Holloways Park for the past two seasons.

The team has been largely made up of Beaconsfield Town u21s players and the team has had a series of managers including Diogo Nobre and Russell Taylor.

Windsor finished 21st in Combined Counties League 1 last season, only surviving relegation thanks to a reprieve as there weren’t enough clubs claiming promotion to take up a spot in their step six league.

The ground share solution had looked to be working for both clubs, with Windsor able to field a competitive team at step 6 and play their home ground on a fantastic artificial surface, and Beaconsfield able to give their younger players a taste of senior non-league football, rather than playing them in development leagues.