PORTLAND United have been given the opportunity to purchase the freehold of Grove Corner on which their Weyline Stadium lies.

A sum of £60,000 is needed to buy the freehold which would secure the future of the football club.

Currently the Blues have a long lease on the ground with Crown Estates.

Chairman, Robin Satherley, said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for PUFC and the people of Portland. This will enable the club to put in place longer term plans, so that we can engage with the people of Portland and increase participation in sport generally.

“We believe that improving access to sport on Portland will have many benefits. We would like to forge closer links with the various local youth football clubs, schools and other sports teams on the island.”

President, Dave Camp, said: “We would like to thank the Crown for giving us the opportunity to purchase the ground. The club have invested significantly in recent years and we now have a wonderful ground, which is certainly regarded as one of the best in the Sydenhams Wessex League.”

There are records of Portland playing at the Grove as early as 1902 – sometimes linked with the prison officers – before the Blues moved to the new Grove Corner ground in 1994.

Portland are investigating various possibilities to raise the funds required including fundraising, grants and donations.

For more details contact secretary.portlandutdfc@aol.co.uk.