AMBITIOUS rugby ground switch plans are going to the vote.

A land swap deal would mean Tyldesley Rugby Club moving from its Well Street home to a new ground west of Astley Street (writes BRIAN GOMM).

Plans for a new club with playing and training pitches on land currently owned by Peel Holdings (North) Limited are going before planners.

And at May's club AGM members will vote on the proposed land deal.

A move from Well Street, where the old ground would be developed for housing, has been on the cards for years.

The plan to site three rugby and two soccer pitches on reclaimed land west of Astley Street has been under discussion for several months.

Facilities would include changing rooms and showers for

senior and junior teams as well as a floodlit rugby pitch and training area.

Executive Secretary Howard Hughes says whatever the outcome the Club - founded in 1881 - has reached something of a watershed: "We need to develop both on and off the field, our current location and facilities make it impossible to do either.

"If the proposed deal goes ahead then we have been given a golden opportunity to put Tyldesley firmly back on the map in sporting terms."

He feels the proposed move could not have come at a better time as the Club's existing building, built over 30 years ago, is beginning to show considerable signs of wear and tear. And the playing surface is poor.

The soccer pitches will be available for local teams.

Claims that the Rugby Club would be banking several hundred thousand pounds from the proposed sale of their current Well Street ground have been roundly quashed by the Club Executive Committee as "wishful thinking."

Club Treasurer Sue Broad believes any agreed deal will help stabilise the Club financially.

"It is sometimes a struggle to meet the demands. Any deal will leave a certain amount in the hands of our Trustees and hopefully give us a more sound financial footing."

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