Stourbridge FC unveil stadium revamp plans
Stourbridge FCOne of the West Midlands' oldest non-league football clubs has unveiled plans for an £800,000 stadium revamp.
Stourbridge FC's War Memorial Ground at Amblecote currently has two stands out of action due to safety fears, with the ground sitting close to a sandstone ridge.
The Glassboys share the ground with Stourbridge Cricket Club, with both leasing their pitches off Dudley Council.
Plans for a new long-term lease are being drawn up which could help secure major funding for the project from national football organisations.
Stourbridge, formed in 1876, are currently battling relegation from the Southern League Central Premier Division, and the long-running saga over the state of their ground has cast a shadow over the last two seasons.
"It goes without saying that this has proven to be a very frustrating and long road," said Stourbridge chairman Andy Pountney and vice-chairman Andy Bullingham in a statement.
"Are we at the end of it? Not really.
"The critical part of making these works happen is the funding of the project which will be circa £800,000. Our ability to obtain this size of investment is not possible without an extended lease on the ground."
The club has now submitted planning permission for the work to Dudley Council, and officials say they will need to raise at least £50,000 for the project themselves.
"We are in the process of re-negotiating a 50-year lease to ensure Stourbridge FC has its future at the War Memorial Ground secured," added Pountney and Bullingham.
The club and council are now looking to finalise the annual rent figure, with the club hoping that work can start on the stadium upgrade in the new year.
