Devizes chiefs to meet housing developers (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Devizes chiefs to meet housing developers

11:32am Thursday 31st May 2007 in Football By Nick Mashiter

DEVIZES Town are hoping to move a giant step closer to their new £2 million dream home at Green Lane tomorrow.

The Toolstation League club aim to strike a deal with housing developers Redrow Homes, which will see them agree to buy and develop the club's Nursteed Road home.

The next stage of the relocation would be to try and obtain planning permission for the new development, which has been discussed for the past two and a half years.

Chairman Phil Rossiter, 47, who will step down from his position at the AGM in August, is refusing to get excited about the meeting after previous false dawns.

He said: "We've had seven or eight meetings and thought we were in this position two or three times before and things didn't happen.

"There are still some things we have to negotiate but it is a good meeting to have. We have the future of the football club at heart."

Committee member Julian Alexander, 40, from Fruitfield Close in Devizes, who is spearheading the project, believes it represents a big step in the club's future.

"There is a need for these facilities because the youth team has been turning players away because there isn't room for them to train," said Alexander, who is also manager of Sunday League outfit The Southgate Inn.

"It is an investment for the club and would be beneficial to the whole town because everyone could use Green Lane."

Designs have been drawn up which incorporate ten pitches, including an all weather Astro Turf, and a clubhouse.

The health service, who own Green Lane, have indicated they are willing to sell.

Funding would come from the sale of Nursteed Road and a grant from the Football Foundation.

The encouraging news comes as manager Paul Thompson, who had previously quit, finally pledged his future to the club for another season.

Thompson, 34, said: "There has been a change of direction in the club with the proposed formation of a new committee, and there is a big driving force to succeed. I am looking forward to working with them and having a good season."