BOSTON UNITED expect to take a major step forward next year in their search for a new home.
The Pilgrims intend to relocate from York Street in the next few years, with the current lease on the ground set to expire in 2018.
A MAN WITH A PLAN: David Newton intends to submit a planning application for a new stadium next year.
The Pilgrims have identified three potential sites for a new ground and plan to submit a planning application in 2012.
But chairman David Newton has stressed that first the club must strike a deal with a commercial development, which will help fund the project.
"We are gradually moving it forward," said Newton, who will field questions at a fans' forum at the Pilgrim Lounge tonight (Wednesday, 7.30pm).
"When we move, we've got to generate money out of the site we move to.
"We have no money as a football club, in fact we've got debts.
"We're going to need some commercial development around it and possibly some residential development as well.
"It will be contributions from those developments that will go towards the new stadium.
"We'll also draw from grant funding from Sport England and the Football Foundation.
"There are several funding pots we would tap in to.
"We've got three potential sites identified that we're working towards.
"We've got a preferred one that we're working on more than the others.
"But we need the three because we're not sure what will happen with each one and whether one will fall away.
"But until we actually achieve some agreement with commercial partners, we can't move it forward.
"We can't announce anything on it because if we can't make one site work, we might be able to make another site work.
"It is something that is a priority for us, but in the current climate it's proving a bit difficult to pull together."
Newton admits he would move the club from York Street – United's home since 1933 – with a heavy heart.
But he insists relocating is essential for the long-term future of the club.
"I love the ground, but we have got to move. The sooner the better as far as we're concerned," added Newton.
"The current climate is constraining it because companies are reluctant to invest.
"But we are making progress. We had planned an application this year, but I think we'll have an application in next year. Hopefully early next year."
