THE FINAL hurdles have been overcome in developer South Coast Leisure’s (SCL) plans to provide a retail park, and a new stadium for Newport Football Club, though a question mark still hangs over when the work can begin.

With the announcement, SCL has re-affirmed its intention to support the club, after it launched a Crowdfunder, asking for donations from the community in a bid to continue operating effectively.

The club is without a ground and paying rent at Beatrice Avenue in East Cowes, which means it is not generating money comparable to the Island’s other Wessex League sides.

The aim is to help the team in the second part of the season, ensure it brings through the “Newport players of tomorrow”, and make sure there isn’t a cost for playing at the club.

SCL says the new ground at the Racecourse in Whippingham will be financed by a retail park on the outskirts of Newport, next to Asda, and has been working hard to bring both schemes to fruition.

“We have finally overcome all the outstanding planning issues affecting the two developments,” said a spokesperson for the company.

“At this stage, we cannot confirm the start date for the new stadium as this is dependent on the programme for the new retail park, which we are finalising details on.

“The time taken to achieve planning approval and the current economic situation has meant construction cost estimates and funding arrangements have to be reviewed, and it will be some weeks before a clear build timetable can be agreed.”

“Being a homeless football club is expensive,” said Newport FC Supporters Trust chairman Steve Rackett.

“The club has the same operating costs as the Island’s two other Wessex League teams, but without a home ground we don’t have the match day bar and catering takings, and we are also making contributions towards the cost of the groundshare.

“We have therefore launched the Crowdfunder, and income from these donations will allow us to support activities across the club for the rest of the season.

“This isn’t about keeping the club afloat, but trying to do all the extra activities that any Wessex League club should be doing to keep us competitive now and in the future.”

The club says it received no income for vacating St Georges Park, which has been owned by developers South Coast Leisure since 2005.

“In addition, we are looking for some extra commercial sponsorship,” said Steve.

“Several local businesses have already backed the club this season, and we would like to thank them all for their support.”

Businesses who wish to support the club should email steve.rackett@niowfc.com

To make a donation to the club’s Crowdfunder, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/newport-iw-fc-support-our-club

The Supporters Trust has already organised a number of community initiatives this season, and the next home game tomorrow (Saturday) will see the club host Wessex Cancer Trust and help raise awareness for the charity’s activities.