Premiership side set to open new stadium (From Stroud News and Journal)

Premiership side set to open new stadium

FOREST Green chairman Trevor Horsley has secured the visit of Championship side Leeds United and is now in negotiation with a top Premiership side, who would officially mark the opening of Forest Green's new £3 million pound stadium next summer.

Horsley, a life-long supporter and season ticket holder at Elland Road said: "I have close associations with Leeds and had a meeting with Kevin Blackwell and the commercial director. We are just waiting to confirm the date."

Leeds are currently targetting a return to the Premiership and would include Northern Ireland striker David Healy, who struck the winner past former Leeds keeper Paul Robinson to dent England's World Cup qualifying hopes last week.

Meanwhile, Horsley refused to reveal the identity of the Premiership side he was talking to, but added: "It will be brilliant if we can pull it off." Construction of the new ground is moving well.

Director of Synergise Consult Martin Thomas, revealed the building project is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.

He said: "We're on programme and the good weather has helped.

"The steel work is completed, floodlight columns and block work will also get underway this week and cladding will begin in November.

"The Trevor Horsley Stand will be moved next year and positioned at the south of the new ground."

Seeding of the new pitch will start within a fortnight.

The new stadium will house up to 5,147 fans, and will have parking facilities to accommodate 260 cars as well as bays for three coaches.

Also included in the plans are facilities for a leisure club, with gym, spa and sauna, a large function room, social club and fitness suite.

Currently a new main stand is being built together with the existing two stands taken from The Lawn. A new open terrace will run along the fourth side.

The scheme also includes facilities for replacement community playing space which will be provided at The King George V playing field in Nailsworth.

A new level surface which will be suitable for another sports pitch, which will be used by County League side Taverners and will be provided next to the stadium.

ANY company wishing to be named as the ground, main stand or road sponsor should contact Robin Eaves on 01453 834860.