STROUD MP David Drew is kicking the political football in favour of Forest Green’s proposed £100m Eco Park football stadium and business park.

The former Forest Green Rovers vice-chairman, who reclaimed Stroud’s seat for Labour after defeating Conservative Neil Carmichael by 700 votes earlier this month, now insists that a move from Nailsworth’s New Lawn to the 100 acres of land at junction 13 of the M5, is “very important” for the club and a jobs boost for the Stroud district.

“We now need to use the position of MP to make sure that Stroud has got a status, and hopefully Forest Green and the Stroud constituency can go forward together,” revealed Stroud’s MP, who plans to act as a volunteer meet-and-greet officer for away supporters visiting Forest Green in the club’s first foray in the English Football League.

On the proposed move to Eco Park, Mr Drew is hoping Forest Green and his Stroud constituency can grow together: “It is very important, but it’s not just about the football club, it is about the jobs and about the status of us as a district and making sure that Stroud district as a whole is able to hold its head up high alongside Cheltenham and Gloucester. We must make sure that the Stroud district stands for something really tangible and Forest Green Rovers is one of these elements of tangibility.”

Watch the full version of this story by clicking the video link below.