Kidderminster Harriers plan to buy stadium

A football club could soon own the stadium they have played in for more than 130 years.

Kidderminster Harriers FC have been based at the Aggborough Stadium since 1890 and the team has been described as a "a fundamental part of the town".

Wyre Forest District Council said its cabinet was set to meet to make a decision on the club's proposal to buy the freehold of the ground, the car park and sports and social club.

Councillor David Ross said: "By selling the assets to the Harriers, we believe it will cement their base in the town for years to come."

Aggborough Stadium and the car park are listed on the local authority's assets of community value register.

The council published a notification to dispose of the assets in October last year and there have been no other expressions of interest before the 4 December deadline.

A report on the proposed sale of the stadium, car park and social club will be considered by the council's overview and scrutiny committee on 5 February.

Ross added: "Kidderminster Harriers FC is a fundamental part of the town with a long-standing relationship with local government. We want the club to succeed and be sustainable.

"Having a successful club in the town brings many benefits, not only does it have an economic impact it also brings social, community and civic benefits."

Club chairman Richard Lane said: "Aggborough Stadium has been the home of our fantastic football club for generations and, as far as I am concerned, always should be for future generations.

"We've made incredible progress as a club over the last five years, to move forward with the same ambition we have exciting modernisation plans to improve our facilities at Aggborough, providing better matchday supporters experience, support community and business engagement, ultimately to build a sustainable community asset that we can be proud of."

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