FOREST Green players could be lavished with top-notch accommodation thanks to chairman Dale Vince’s goal to push the club into the Football League.

The Ecotricity chief has submitted a planning application to Stroud District Council for permission to change the use of one unit to player accommodation at the site of the former Stroud and Swindon Building Society headquarters.

Vince acquired the landmark Stroud building in February and is now intending to transform part of the structure into a halfway house for his players who live outside Gloucestershire.

The facility could accommodate the likes of Rovers' London-based assistant manager Gary Seward, Devon-based Chris Todd and Birmingham duo Jared Hodgkiss and Reece Styche.

Vince said: “This is all part of transforming Forest Green Rovers into a professional club. We've tackled nutrition, training and equipment - this is the next step.

“Having quality accommodation for players is essential if we want to start a serious push for promotion into the world of league football.

“The fact is we play around 50 games a season - with often two games in a week - so this will allow some of the players who live further afield to cut down travelling time when there is a short turn around between training and match days.

“We'll be providing top-notch facilities, so our players' preparation is first rate.

“This will allow our current squad to perform to their best and also help to attract new talent.”