Michael Aland played for Rugby Lions in the 1980s

The new owner of Rugby Lions, Michael Aland, has outlined his plans to sustain top-flight rugby union in the Warwickshire town.

The National League Three Midlands outfit have already secured former England World Cup winning flanker Neil Back as their head coach.

But Aland believes the infrastructure also needs to be in place.

"The idea is to put together a stadium and a sport complex which will be there for the next 50 years," Aland said.

"I think if I was just to do what everybody else has done - throw some money into a rugby team, go up four or five divisions until you get fed up of losing your money, then you go back down again - that would be ridiculous both as a businessman and a person.

The former Lions player has also revealed to BBC Coventry & Warwickshire that the club will play at neighbours Newbold-on-Avon's Parkfield Road ground for the first part of next season while their Webb-Ellis Road home is renovated.

The club will then move into a new 30,000 capacity venue in five years time, by which time Aland hopes they will be close to realising their Premiership ambitions.

"There's no doubt it's going to happen. We met with the council on Tuesday and we've got three sites that we're looking at," added Aland.

"I'm just starting the renovation on the present ground so it's up to capacity to get through the Championship which is four years from now.

"And after that, to be able to get in the Premiership, there will be criteria.

"The RFU will say you've got make yourself pretty so you can come and play and dance with us."

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