THE CHAIRMAN of a football club fearing closure believes the “sky is the limit” if it wins a new ground as part of plans to build 1,500 homes in Woodstock.

Old Woodstock Town FC boss Ted Saxton said proposals to develop land owned by Blenheim Palace came at just the right time, as the 105-year-old club is on the edge of folding due to a lack of facilities.

He said the club could go as far it liked if it was given a new football facility by developers.

But the football club could be kicked out of the Hellenic League in the meantime, if it did not get planning permission for new floodlights at its New Road ground.

Woodstock resident Mr Saxton, who has been chairman for 35 years, said: “If we don’t get floodlights by next April we will be relegated from the Hellenic League (and put into the Oxfordshire Senior League). There’s a possibility we could fold because quite frankly we don’t want to play in that league, and I don’t think anyone would take it over.”

Pye Homes and West Waddy ADP began consultation last week with councillors, school governors and community groups about plans to develop a 1,500-home site, between the A44 Oxford Road and Shipton Road, next to Oxford Airport.

A public consultation will begin next month ahead of submitting a planning application in December.

The developers would also build a small football ground, with seating and standing area for at least 200 spectators, a new clubhouse and a 4G multi-use pitch that could be used by other sports and the wider public.

Mr Saxton said: “I hope the plans go through because I think Woodstock needs something like this and it would make life so much easier.

“We could train there and rent it out to help finance the club, while we could have more junior teams.

“This facility could let us go up the leagues and help us attract better players – the sky is the limit.”

The Hellenic League Division 1 East club missed out on promotion to the Premier Division two seasons ago because it did not have floodlights.

It has been given until April, when new FA rules come into effect, to improve facilities or it could be relegated.

The club, which has two men’s teams including about 60 registered players, has applied to West Oxfordshire District Council for permission to erect six 50ft temporary floodlights, which could then be moved to the new ground.

It is the second set of plans submitted, after permission was denied five years ago due to concerns about overexposure of the ground.

The £60,000 lights would be funded by grants from organisations like Sport England, Football Foundation and private donations.

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