BASINGSTOKE Town will be looking to become the Portsmouth FC of north Hampshire, after the Interim Management Group looking at the future of club announced a move towards community ownership.

This would mean the Dragons would be following in the footsteps of league clubs like Portsmouth, AFC Wimbledon and Wycombe Wanderers.

However, to make this work it would also mean Basingstoke would have to play in the town and an announcement on where this will be is expected after the next meeting on February 8.

These plans are being put in place because Basingstoke Town owner and chairman Rafi Razzak is departing in May this year.

David Knight, the club's CEO felt it was a very good first meeting of the Interim Management Group (IMG) and said: "I am very pleased that we have taken this very positive decision. community ownership will allow us to determine our own future for the long run, and our campaign starting in February will work hard to reach every part of our community and get as many people as possible involved."

This seems a very sensible strategy, but the club are not ruling out finding a single buyer, but this of course has to be someone who is looking at the long term future of the club, otherwise they will be back to square one again one or two years down the line.

Knight added: "This a great opportunity to get everyone in the community involved in the club and this can only benefit the town in the long run. "There is a lot of work going by a lot of people at the moment and will be able to announce more after our next meeting."

The launch of the community ownership campaign is scheduled to take place in February with full details being announced early next month.

In terms of what will happen to the current ground.

Knight confirmed that the IMG are currently reviewing two final options and they expect to make a decision on their preferred option early in February.

James Mathie, club development manager for Supporters Direct, a national umbrella organisation of supporters trusts who run football clubs in the UK and Europe, outlined community ownership options at the meeting and will be helping the club as they develop their community ownership campaign and plans.

Mathie said: “We know time is short and there are challenges to overcome, but with change comes opportunity. We believe there are significant benefits that this club can bring to the town and we want to see how we might take that further if fans, and the community, were involved as owners. Ultimately this will only work if we can generate enough support from the Town for a sustainable and competitive club which can increase what it does for the community beyond Saturday afternoon.”