Football club set to take over ground

A football club is set to take over the long-term running of its ground from council ownership.

City of Wolverhampton councillors will discuss making a Community Asset Transfer of Bilston Town FC's ground on Queen Street when they meet on Wednesday.

The club would agree to take on the costs of running the site for 35 years, in place of its existing less comprehensive tenancy which expires in 2038.

A report to the authority's cabinet said it would increase the club's ability to apply for grants.

Bilston Town has been based at the ground for more than a century, moving there in 1921.

According to the club website, it originally owned the site outright, before going bankrupt six years later when the local education committee took ownership.

The club, currently seventh in division one of the Midland League, has been a tenant of the council ever since.

Although the transfer would not give the club full ownership, it will take on the insurance and maintenance of the ground over the term of the agreement in return for a nominal £1 fee.

The report to councillors said the authority would save money each year on maintaining the site.

A similar plan was not completed in 2022 because the club did not want to take on a neighbouring parcel of undeveloped land.

The council will now attempt to sell that, although it said the potential sale price of up to £180,000 and future use of the land was uncertain because of mine workings in the area.

The proposed deal comes weeks after the side launched a fan ownership model, with club members including local MP Pat McFadden becoming shareholders.

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