Billericay Town have ruled out the idea of moving out of their New Lodge ground while redevelopment work costing £6m is carried out bringing them up to Nationwide Conference standards.

Room for improvement - John Stacey (left) and Rod Moore survey New Lodge. Picture: Terence Bunch 6DC6A5C

Town chiefs unveiled their dream to shareholders and fans at a forum last night, where the club said it hoped to submit plans to Basildon Council in the spring.

If the scheme is given the go-ahead by the council, who have recently approved a new 35-year lease for the Ryman League Premier Division side, work is expected to start during the close season.

It is expected to be completed in a year, allowing Town to start the 2003/04 campaign with brand new facilities which will include new stands, clubhouse, conference and banqueting facilities, ball courts, an injury treatment room and all-weather training pitch.

A new car park will also be provided in a joint development being undertaken by Town and Scottish-based company Stadia Management.

A new company -- Billericay Town FC and Stadia Management Ltd -- will be formed although all football matters will still be under the jurisdiction of Billericay Town FC Ltd.

All profits from the footballing side will still go to that latter company, with the income from the new business link ventures being split 75 per cent to the club and 25 per cent to Stadia Management.

Said chairman Rod Moore: "This is a massive redevelopment that will benefit the football club and the community as a whole."

Published Tuesday January 15, 2002