A couple of years on from installing their new stadium entrance, we were back down at Steyning Town Community Football Club, this time for something a little different. Rather than a new install, this visit was all about keeping the club’s turnstiles running exactly as they should: our annual maintenance service, making sure everything is safe, reliable and ready for another season of matchdays.
It felt like a good moment to catch up with the club, see how the entrance has held up, and hear directly from the people who use it every week. We sat down with our own Lee Rance, who led the original project, and with Steyning Town’s chairman, Paul Hart, to talk through the story; both videos are below.
A Quick Recap: The Original Installation
For anyone new to the story, Steyning Town FC came to us as a growing club that had outgrown its old entrance. A single turnstile, inherited from the old Brighton & Hove Albion football grounds, was no longer fit for purpose as the men’s first team was promoted up to Step 4 of the Isthmian South East League and matchday numbers grew.
Working with the club, we installed a UKT-40 full-height turnstile alongside a UKT-60 full-height pedestrian gate for disabled access, both finished in stainless steel for durability, and powder-coated in Steyning’s signature red to match the club’s identity. The result gave the club a secure, compliant entrance that could handle heavy footfall on big matchdays, with manual controls for staff and free rotation built in for emergencies.
The Maintenance Visit: Hearing from Lee
Regular servicing is a part of the job we take seriously; it’s one thing to install a turnstile, it’s another to make sure it keeps performing years down the line. For Lee, this visit carried a bit of extra meaning, too.
“We were contacted by Steyning through email; they were looking for a trusted turnstile supplier, and luckily for us, we were local, only five or ten minutes from the site.”
Lee talked us through what made the original project work: understanding the club’s two main priorities, disabled access and a product that could reliably handle footfall, and fitting the installation around everything else that was going on at the club at the time.
“Looking back at the original conditions of the ground, it’s chalk and cheese compared to what they’ve got now.”
There’s also a personal side to this one for Lee, who played for Steyning as a boy:
“Having played for Steyning as a young lad at school, it’s always nice to come back and help a club that was part of my childhood.”
On what the club will notice most from the work: “I’d say the thing Steyning will notice most is the ease of footfall in and out of the grounds, especially during their big cup games with heavy attendance.”
The Club's Perspective: Hearing from Chairman Paul Hart
We also sat down with Steyning Town FC chairman Paul Hart, who’s seen the difference the new entrance has made first-hand.
We’ve been here for over 100 years now, we’ve had the 3G pitch down for about 10 years, and we cater for 450 to 500 players, boys and girls, men and women, young and old. We’re a growing club, currently in Step 4 of the Isthmian South East League.”
He explained what led the club to UK Turnstiles in the first place:
“The main consideration was that they were a local company, just up the road from where I live, with a good price, and they offered exactly what we wanted in the timescale we needed.”
“Lee and the whole company were very accommodating; they did everything they said they were going to do, within the time they said they’d do it.”
Asked to rate the experience out of ten, Paul didn’t hold back, after a brief, good-humoured negotiation with himself:
“Out of ten? I’ve got to say nine, because nothing’s perfect, but no, actually, it is a ten. They’ve been fantastic. Even coming back today, the annual service they offer is great, and they’ve extended their support by becoming an additional sponsor of our committee room this year, which we really appreciate.”
And on the difference it’s made matchday after matchday:
“The matchday experience for everybody is so much more welcoming now. The old entrance wasn’t exactly ‘come inside and watch some great football’; it barely looked like there was a football club there. Now, with the new fencing and our signature red and white colours, it helps give us an identity, and we can actually chat to people as they come in.”
Paul’s verdict for other clubs considering the same move:
“I’d recommend UK Turnstiles to any other sporting club, football club, gym, school, or factory, whoever needs some kind of entrance or turnstile. It’s worked perfectly for us.”
Still Supporting Steyning
What stood out most from this visit wasn’t just that the turnstiles are still working exactly as they should; it’s the relationship that’s built up around them. From the original installation through to sponsoring the club’s committee room, this is exactly the kind of long-term, local partnership we set out to build with every club we work with.
Looking to install, upgrade or maintain turnstiles at your club or venue?
Whether you need a brand-new entrance system, help staying compliant with FA regulations, or simply want the peace of mind of a regular maintenance visit, get in touch with our team, we’d be more than happy to help.
