Kingsholm's Shed may well be axed in the revamp

The work will depend on �2m being raised by the club, fans and commercial partners by next Januray.

A letter from the club reads: "The club must raise an initial �2m which we hope to achieve through the Kingsholm Supporters Mutual [a fund raising trust], sponsorships, debentures and other commercial fundraising methods.

"The club really needs your help and involvement to reach the target of �2m that has to be raised from our supporters, local community organisations and our commercial partners by January 2004"

Fans will be offered the chance to purchase shares in the club via the Kingsholm Supporters MutualThe Shed Tom Walkinshaw

Once the �2m is raised, the club can approach banks for a further �4m towards the �6m development.

The plan is to increase the stadium's capacity to 14,000.

When the trust raises sufficient money, multi-millionaire owner Tom Walkinshaw has agreed to dilute his control.

Walkinshaw told www.gloucesterrugbyclub.com: "The fans will be offered the chance to purchase shares in the club via the Kingsholm Supporters Mutual.

"That money will be used exclusively for rebuilding the stadium."

The Shed

More seats are needed to satisfy new regulations, and the main grandstand is expected to go.

It is likely to be replaced with a two-tier structure of seating and terracing running along one full side of the pitch.

The club did explore the possibility of moving to nearby Archdeacon Meadow, but is now set to stay at its traditional home.