The future of Stranraer could be secured if members vote in favour of a proposal to relieve the club's debt.

A local charitable housing association wants to take over the club's debt.

Former committee member Sean Niven told BBC Scotland: "There's some hope for the club in the long-term now that there's an offer on the table.

"This is going to be discussed at a meeting at the end of this week and hopefully will guarantee the future of the club for the seasons to come."

Stranraer's debt is estimated at around £250,000 and chairman Nigel Redhead said in January that the Second Division club had only a "50/50" chance of staying in business beyond the end of the season.

"It's a commitment to take over the club's debt, which will take the pressure off," said Niven.

"The creditors will be satisfied and the club will be free to run on a daily basis without the worry of a phone call or a letter arriving which could threaten the club's future.

"I understand that their motivation is that, as a local Dumfries and Galloway-based business, they just don't want to see Stranraer FC die, which for me as a long-term supporter is fantastic news and it's exactly the sort of people we would like to get involved with.

Hopefully, in the longer term, this will bring the goodwill of the town and the area back to the football club, which has been lost in recent years Sean Niven

"Subject to this proposal being accepted, we're almost getting to 90% likelihood of survival, which is probably as good as any club in the country at the moment.

"Stranraer is one of two clubs in the country which is a members' club, of which there are 100 or so.

"It will take a straight-forward majority. A show of hands will dictate that this proposal will be accepted or otherwise. I can't see it going any other way than a positive vote."

Currently 13 points adrift at the bottom of the Second Division, Stranraer have not won a match since the beginning of October.

During this barren run, Derek Ferguson left the club as manager, with Keith Knox replacing the former Rangers player.

"Hopefully, in the longer term, this will bring the goodwill of the town and the area back to the football club, which has been lost in recent years," added Niven.

"The crowds at Stair Park this year have been extremely poor. We've failed to get to 300 on almost every occasion, which possibly reflects the quality of what's been on the park.

"At the end of the day, on a Saturday afternoon, there isn't another game within at least 50 miles of Stranraer."

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