A CENTURY old football club could find itself turfed out of its home ground after the council plans to use the land for a regeneration scheme.

Newbury Football Club could be homeless or face merging with rivals, Thatcham Town Football Club, after it was told by West Berkshire Council that the ground would be needed for the London Road Industrial Estate regeneration scheme.

The ground, on Faraday Road, has been earmarked to bring 300 homes, more employment space and an 80-bed hotel to the estate.

Keith Moss, chairman of the club, said that the lack of information from the council had forced the club to drop down in the league tables.

He said: "They're trying to get us out by next year. No one is keeping us in the loop, it is so annoying. We have had to drop down a couple of leagues because we do not know what is going on. I cannot organise for the future.

"The idea of merging with Thatcham was spoken about behind their backs which made it worse. It is like Manchester City going to play with Manchester United."

The council have yet to provide the club with an alternative ground, despite insisting it needs to relocate.

Mr Moss said: "We have got all these youngsters coming and they have their matches here. They suggested we might go to the rugby club and share but I can not do that. You have got to run your own club house in order to keep the club going."

Newbury Football Club famously fostered the careers of Arsenal forward, Theo Walcott and Liverpool manager, Brendan Rodgers.

Eric Bailey, vice chairman of Thatcham Town Football Club, thinks that a possible ground share could mean a better facility for all players.

He said: "As far as we are concerned we are prepared to sit down and talk with Newbury FC and the council and discuss the possibility of a ground share.

"The solution could quite well be a ground share because we have a 10 acre site which we own. It could be utilised more and that could benefit the whole community.

"We are not pushing the issue, we have said we are willing to sit round the table to see whether we can take this forward. It does seem it is the answer to a problem."

Martin Dunscombe, a spokesperson for West Berkshire Council, said: "It is with some regret that notice has been served, but the ground is critical to the wider regeneration of the London Road Industrial Estate which, in turn, will benefit the town and wider community.

"The council and club have been in detailed discussion about the redevelopment for over two and a half years and generally for five years. These discussions have also included negotiations with Sport England.

"To date, we have negotiated a potential ground share option and continue to explore other possibilities, however, the aim is to find a permanent solution."

On August 28, the council signed a development agreement with St Modwen for the multi-million pound scheme, which includes details of the financial agreement between the two parties, an order of works and an outline development plan.

A planning application for the scheme has yet to be submitted.