Taunton RFC Stand completed

Visitors to Veritas Park in recent months will have noticed the smart new stand on the Railway Touchline of the Titans’ pitch. Although spectators have been able to watch games from the new seats, Taunton RFC has held back on publicity until the project is complete. Now, with the addition of the filming tower, the structure is ready to be unveiled at the start of Titans’ new season when the county town side takes on the historic Blackheath FC.

The stand – which retains the name Les Phippen Stand from the previous incarnation – increases the seating capacity at Veritas Park by100 and has been achieved through the kindness of two benefactors, Steve Collard and another who wishes to remain anonymous. Steve said, “My company Commsplus Ltd has been involved with TRFC for many years and was the main sponsor from 2011 to 2018. I’ve always sought to invest in the club and improve its infrastructure wherever possible.”

“This opportunity arose with another like-minded sponsor tore place the Les Phippen Memorial Stand with a new structure and video platform. It seemed like a natural development and is one of which I am extremely proud.”

Although most of the stand has been in place for a while, the final touches could not be completed until the weather was dry enough in June to allow the construction of the filming tower and installation of wi-fi, fibre and other cabling. Whilst it may seem quite a bijou addition to the facilities at Veritas Park, the modular nature of the stand means that it can be added to in future if the demand for seating arises.

“My thanks,” said Steve as he looked across the pitch to the new stand, “Go to the anonymous donor who helped make this project financially viable. Not to forget the others who helped this exciting project come to fruition Taunton Fabrications Ltd, Simon Collier Planning, EA Construction (SW)Ltd, Bytes Digital Ltd and T&C Electrical Contractors Ltd.”

The club’s Nick Mason added the thanks of all concerned at the club and pointed to the future, saying, “This shows the way things are developing here at TRFC and reflects the club’s ambitions.”

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