Club checks out £12m facelift

With a striking floor-to-ceiling glass entrance broken up only by the trademark black and orange crest, here is an exclusive glimpse at the £12 million hotel development which will transform Bilston Town Football Club.

Bosses are hoping to inspire a new generation of footballers to the club with the development, which will create 100 jobs for the town. The creation of the hotel complex and revamp of the current tired, vandal-hit building will thrust the 113-year-old club into a new era.

After being forced out of their beloved ground last year following a campaign of vandalism, which saw it targeted more than 120 times in five years, club bosses are keen to bring back the glory days.

These artist impressions give a glimpse into the future of the club, after it was revealed the team had signed a new 99-year lease at the Queen Street site.

Nick Chapman, from Tweedale Architects, which has drawn up the designs, said: “The club has set out standards higher than its current league status with a view to winning promotions over the upcoming years.

“The football facilities will encourage the development of a modern approach to football from the grass roots up, inspiring new generations of the football side of the future.”

Under the plans the outside of the ground would be transformed along with the clubhouse and stands and a new restaurant created.

Bilston councillor Bert Turner said today: “We are really hoping we have the support of the planners on our side so we can get on with this as soon as possible.”

Plans for the transformation were submitted last week. The club was saved by a consortium last summer after a player walkout and mounting debts.