Gainsborough ground plan revealed

Peter Swann became Gainsborough chairman in October 2008

Gainsborough Trinity chairman Peter Swann has announced proposals for a 4,000-seat stadium and community sports complex on the outskirts of the town.

Swann told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "What I want to build is not just a new stadium but something everyone can use.

"If we can get people playing hockey, rugby and other sports there, then that would be absolutely superb."

The owners of Trinity's current ground at the Northolme, the Blues Club, are yet to comment on the plans.

Swann claims his offers to buy the Northolme from them and invest in new facilities there have so far been rejected.

He said: "In the past I've tentatively asked but it didn't come to anything so a month ago I made a formal offer but didn't put a price on it, I just asked if they would be willing to sell.

"I got a letter back saying they wouldn't, so I thought that was the end of the negotiations with regards to the Northolme.

"I've been working on a plan for the last year or so should we ever move, so I've brought that to fruition now.

"As a football club we need to generate a huge amount of money for the future and I can see this as the only way forward."

But Swann stressed Gainsborough's home for more than 125 years would continue to be a part of the club.

I think the Northolme can still play a very important part in the community

Gainsborough Trinity chairman Peter Swann

"I want to create a junior set-up and a reserve side and they've got to play somewhere," he said.

"I've also had a lot of interest from the likes of Scunthorpe who are looking for somewhere for their youth teams to play and I think the Northolme can still play a very important part in the community without having to spend a couple of hundred thousand pounds on facilities.

"I've got a 10-year lease there and I intend to use that, so there could be two or three games a week there which could generate more income than as things are now."