Forest Green Rovers’ proposed move to Eco Park is still dependent on planning conditions and unresolved access issues on the A419, club chief executive Dane Vince has said.
In his latest update on the club’s website, Vince said the club was continuing to work through the outstanding requirements surrounding the development. The planned relocation to J13 remains a major priority, but the overall design and master plan must be settled before the club can move forward.
The update also outlines work intended to improve the experience for supporters at Forest Green’s current matches, strengthen communication with fans and prepare for the 2027/28 campaign, even though the 2026/27 season is still in progress.
Eco Park planning and access issues
Vince said the club was dealing with a “huge number of planning conditions” and still needed to resolve the access and A419 issues previously discussed by owner Dale Vince.
“We are still working through the huge number of planning conditions and, of course, still need to resolve the access/A419 issues that Dale (Vince) spoke about late last year,”
He said there was a shared desire to move to J13 as soon as possible, but added that Forest Green Rovers needed to ensure the wider design and master plan was right.
“We would all like to move to J13 as quickly as possible, but the club must get the overall design/master plan spot on.”
The update does not give a new completion date for Eco Park. Instead, it confirms that planning and transport-related matters remain to be resolved before the proposed development can progress.
Supporter engagement plans
Fan engagement is another central part of the club’s current work. Forest Green Rovers highlighted its Fan Advisory Board, Fan Elected Director, open training sessions, in-person fan forums, social-media activity and an online fans’ forum.
Vince said the overall response from supporters had been positive, while acknowledging that the club could improve how it works with fans.
“I have spoken to many supporters on matchdays, and although the overall view is very positive, it is clear there is still scope to improve; we can and always should aim to do better.”
The club announced its new Fan Advisory Board in September. The board formalises regular meetings with the Supporters Club and has also invited other supporters to express an interest in joining.
Several supporters have since come forward and met with the club. Vince said he was optimistic that three supporters would join the board. Forest Green also wants to develop its engagement work through more creative content, an annual Fan Report and improved supporter events.
Matchday changes and 2027/28 preparations
Forest Green’s Football on Prescription programme has returned for the 2026/27 season. The club says the programme has been improved and upgraded to build on the previous campaign’s success.
It has also introduced changes this season aimed at improving the matchday experience, streamlining operations and attracting new supporters.
Planning has already started for 2027/28. The work includes season tickets, further matchday improvements and relationships with existing and potential commercial partners.
The club is also beginning recruitment for a new Fan Elected Director. The position was previously held by Phil Doble from 2021 until his death last year.
Vince paid tribute to Doble, describing him as a “brilliant person to work with”. He said Doble had been keen and passionate and had worked across several areas of the club to help it “grow, develop and improve”.
An updated job description has been prepared for the role. The successful candidate will join the main Forest Green Rovers board and act as a link between supporters and the club.
The Fan Elected Director will help ensure supporters’ views are heard at board level and contribute ideas to the club’s future development.
