PHOENIX club AFC Rushden & Diamonds have opposed plans to knock down and redevelop Nene Park.
The stadium in Irthlingborough was home to Irthlingborough Diamonds and then Rushden & Diamonds from 1969 to 2011 before Diamonds were dissolved.
Local rivals Kettering Town moved in for 18 months before costs became too high for the Poppies to continue playing there and the ground has been empty since November 2012.
Conalgen Enterprises SA have submitted two applications for development of the Nene Park site. They want to demolish the stadium and build a new retail and leisure development including a foodstore, shops, eight-screen cinema, hotel, restaurants and a new community football facility.
East Northants Council will consider the plans but AFC Rushden & Diamonds, born from the ashes of the former club and currently groundsharing at Wellingborough Town, have outlined their objections.
Vice-chairman John Ward said: “Occupying Nene Park at the level we play at just wouldn’t be sustainable and that’s not what we’re about.
“We don’t believe the one community pitch that would be left at the ground would be a proper community facility – it would just be a pitch and be of no use to any football team.
“There is mention of replacing it with a football hub elsewhere but there are no details included about that in the plans. Why couldn’t the hub be where the current stadium is?
“We’re disappointing because we’ve got 36 teams that run within the area. We feel that we have something to offer for the area and it’s desperate for sporting facilities.
“It’s a big site and we’re not advocating a return to the stadium as it’s just not sustainable. Our aim has always been to play in Irthlingborough.”
Kettering director Ken Samuel added: “Despite the rivalry on the field, I have to agree with John and AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
“I’ve looked at the outline plans and just by sticking one field at the bottom of the site does not make a community facility.
“It’s quite correct that AFC Rushden & Diamonds put in an objection to try and get a proper community facility built on that site. On a moral basis, we would support them.”
