The owner of an abandoned Rossendale football ground wants to sell it, with a club dreaming of restoring it to its former glory.

Formerly the home of Stand Athletic, the land in Ewood Bridge hasn’t hosted a match since 2003 and is currently in disrepair - being touted for sale with a £1.3 million price tag set.

Owner Derek Bulling has been looking to get rid of the plot for several years, with Rossendale Valley FC hoping to work with a new buyer to refurbish the once-lively ground into a profitable ‘state-of-the-art’ sports facility.

David Reid, from the club, says they initially wanted to lease the land from Mr Bulling and transform it using FA grants.

Much of the land is at risk from floodingMuch of the land is at risk from flooding (Image: NQ)

However, according to Mr Reid, if they were to lease the site from Mr Bulling it could take up to two years before FA funding arrives, which is a wait the club doesn’t have the cash to support.

Rossendale Valley FC have been left hoping someone will take on the former ground and, through using the club to apply for grants, restore it. 

Mr Reid said: “Renovating the ground would keep a lot of investment in Rossendale; so much money gets spent hiring pitches in other areas like Burnley.

“We’ve spoken to the FA, and they’d be on board with it; we’ve spoken to Rossendale Borough Council and they're interested.

The inside of the clubhouse in 2018The inside of the clubhouse in 2018 (Image: NQ)

“We want a 3G pitch, a multi-use MUGA and a clubhouse for the community.

“We know the pitch can flood that’s why we want a 3G pitch that will lift the level substantially with a concrete base and better drainage.”

Located close to the M66 and the River Irwell, the land has never had any planning applications put forward according to Mr Bulling.

Much of the land falls within a category-three flood risk - restricting development opportunities.

Recognisable from the East Lancashire Railway, the five-acre plot includes a clubhouse and standing terrace, albeit both requiring substantial work.

Mr Reid says renovating it would cost around an extra £1m, but the FA would reportedly fund £700k of that with other organisations available for grants to add to the pot.

Once up-and-running Mr Reid claims the refurbed site could make between £175,000 and £250,000 a year, based on estimates from similar projects nearby.

Mr Reid added: “From speaking to Accrington Stanley Community Trust, their astroturf alone turns over £100k a year.”

Mr Reid believes a new-look Ewood Bridge ground would be rented for use by multiple clubs in the area including Rossendale Valley FC and Rossendale FC’s men’s and women’s team.

He added: “It would be a fantastic focal point for the community, we could have training there every night, games on Saturdays and Sundays.

"What more do you want than having a beer watching the football?"

Allyson Barnes, Rossendale Council leader, said: "The pitch has been abandoned for a very long time, we know clubs in Rossendale are struggling to find pitch space.

"We're doing what we can to improve our pitches, but it would be really good to see the ground at Ewood Bridge in use.

"The more pitches we have in play, the better, we have a council officer who's currently focussing on this as well as other grassroots sports issues."