Since losing their long-time home in Claremont Rd, on the east side of Edgware Road, in 2008, Hendon FC have been somewhat nomadic, playing their Ryman League home games at various grounds around north-west London. However, they are now well advanced in making plans to redevelop the former Kingsbury Town ground in Silver Jubilee Park, as their new permanent base. In doing so, they will become the senior club based in LB Brent.
Having recently secured planning permission, the renovation works can go ahead, to bring the ground up to the required standard to play at step 7 in the football pyramid, where the team currently reside. A 3G artificial pitch has already been installed, as the first stage in making the ground a local hub for football. However, the overall ambition is much greater than this and the seeds are already being sown. The aim is to make the club a vibrant community resource for all sport and many other activities besides.
WNST is currently supporting Hendon to make their facilities available for local schools coaching and competitions. Within just a few months, over 20 schools have already played at Silver Jubilee Park (SJP). For example neither Claremont or St Gregory’s secondary schools have football pitches to accommodate 11-a-side matches and have found SJP invaluable. Queens Park Community College and JFS have also played home fixtures there. Many local primary schools including Kingsbury Green, Oliver Goldsmith, Roe Green and Fryant are now regular users of the facilities. SJP has also hosted Brent and Middlesex schools cup finals.
Outside of football, one school recently used the ground for its annual sports day. A local theatre group has been using the club house as rehearsal space for its latest production and the venue is ideal for parties and community meetings and events.
WNST trustee, Ann John and Chief Executive, Stewart Goshawk recently visited SJP on the day of the local u11s finals competition, just one of several end-of-season events that week. They were shown around the ground by club director Robert Morris and were impressed with the vision for an excellent community facility.
