TORQUAY UNITED are in talks over a potential new stadium on the outskirts of the town, the club have confirmed.
The National League strugglers were forced to cut costs after former owner Thea Bristow left in the summer, with the club closing down their academy.
Plainmoor, owned by Torquay Council, has been the Gulls’ home for 105 years but the club have been approached by an American firm over the possibility of a new ground for the club.
The new stadium, proposed to be on a 42-acre piece of land in the Barton area of Torquay, would have a synthetic pitch and a capacity of 6,000.
Under the proposed deal, the developers would pay for the new ground in exchange for council land to build new housing on.
“We have to look towards building a strong, self-sustainable future for the club and a development such as this would play a key role in that,” said Torquay United chief executive Steve Breed.
“We were approached by an American company a few months ago; they have been persistent and so we have taken steps to begin dialogue between them, the council and the club.
“Initial talks have now begun and we are exploring the possibilities available to us. We are at an early stage in the process but it is a project that excites us and has a lot of potential both for the club and the local area.”
Player-boss Kevin Nicholson added: “It would be a massive step forward for the club.”Having your own new stadium, you only have to look at Shrewsbury Town, where they dropped to and where they are now and how their new stadium has played a part in that.
“I think the potential there is huge, it really would be a massive thing for the football club’s long-term future.”
