DEVELOPER Russell Harrison yesterday completed the purchase of Bodicote Park and promised that Banbury RFC players would be back drinking there before the end of the season.

The self-made millionaire has bought the 32-acre complex for an undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of £1m, from the receivers set up by the Charity Commission after the previous owners went bust.

Since the receivers were called in last March, Banbury RFC have been unable to use the bar facilties in their magnificent clubhouse, having to do their post-match drinking half-a-mile away at Banbury Cricket Club.

But Harrison promised: "The rugby players will be able to use bar and changing facilites in the existing clubhouse before the end of of this season."

Harrison has ambitious plans for the site.

"We're committed together with Bannatynes (leisure developers) to introduce a £6m leisure operation at Bodicote Park," pledged the new owner.

The existing clubhouse would be turned into a health and leisure complex, while planning permission has been received for new clubhouse for the use of footballers and rugby players. This will not be built before 2004.

Harrison is also planning to change the configuarion of the pitches, so that in future there will be six for rugby and four for football. In the past, the ground has been exclusively used for rugby.

"I'm happy that the purchase will secure the future of Banbury RFC at Bodicote Park," said Harrison.