Goal in sight for 'homeless' club

A new lease securing Bilston Football Club's future in the town for nearly a century could be signed within days, delighted supporters revealed today.

The club, which since last summer has been known as Bilston Town 2007, was forced to give up its Queen Street ground in October after it was targeted by vandals more than 120 times in five years. But Bilston councillor Bert Turner said bosses were now preparing to put pen to paper to sign a new 99-year-lease on the club's beloved home.

A planning application for a £500,000 refurbishment of the ground, including new club house, a restaurant and stands, will then be submitted.

The team used to regularly attract attendances of several hundred supporters at its peak, and has been playing its fixtures on a public pitch at Bantock Park in Finchfield.

Players have been at the park since the council declared the club's ground was unsafe for spectators and are set to see the end of the season out at the beauty spot before returning to their beloved ground.

Club bosses have shown their commitment to the town by pushing for a long-term lease, which will safeguard its future for generations to come.

The final details are due to be ironed out at a meeting of Wolverhampton City Council's resources panel on Tuesday.

Councillor Turner said: "This is really exciting and the people of Bilston can get back to enjoying matches on the best amateur ground in the West Midlands again.

"The club wants a 99-year lease and it could now be signed within days. It is great news."

The club, formerly known as Bilston Town, was saved by a consortium last summer after a player walkout and mounting debts. The council then declared the ground unsafe due to attacks including graffiti, burglaries and arson.

The pitch was also ruined by youths sneaking on to play football and kicking up the turf and the ground was flooded when yobs broke in and left taps running. Security guards are now being employed to patrol the site.

The latest development will come as a welcome relief to the club, which has been hit financially since playing at Bantock Park where it cannot charge admission.