THE TOWN'S football club has heralded a "successful" meeting with councillors on the future of the historic Camrose ground.

Representatives from the board of Basingstoke Town Community Football Club met with a number of councillors - including cabinet members Ken Rhatigan and Rebecca Bean - to discuss their vision for returning to the Camrose.

The club were evicted from the stadium by the ground's owner Basron in 2019.

Two meetings were held over two nights earlier this week, with the club showcasing its ambitions, plans and future aims for the Camrose ground.

Chairman Kevin White said after the meetings: “It was as successful a meeting as we could have hoped for.

"We reinforced the obvious sentiment that the Camrose is our rightful and once protected home – but this meeting was more about showcasing what we plan to do with it.

"This is much more than history; this is about the football club’s future and more importantly the communities.

"This isn’t just about Basingstoke Town, we want this to be a hub for the entire borough.”

Speaking to The Gazette from the Camrose ground on Wednesday morning, where he was with fans not in the meetings to discuss the stadium's future, Cllr Rhatigan said: "It went really well if I am honest.

"I have asked them to build a business plan. They are going to have confidential conversations with [Rafi] Razzak to find a price.

"They have got to have ambitions for the whole place. It has got to be a more inclusive facility rather than just the first team.

"It was good to see ambition."

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council own around 30 per cent of the Camrose ground, with Basron owning the other 70 per cent.

It was revealed yesterday that the firm, owned by ex-club chairman Rafi Razzak, had appealed the council's decision to list the historic stadium as an asset of community value.

A review will now be conducted by BDBC, with a determination expected in the next eight weeks.

The meeting gave councillors opportunity to question club officials, which included chairman Mr White, board member Steve Williams and volunteer Mike Gilham, on aspects of the proposed return.

The club reported that councillors "appeared more than happy with the responses that were offered".

“The football club needs Basingstoke in the same way that Basingstoke needs the football club,” said Cllr Mark Taylor.

Cllr Gary Watts added: “You have my political support; I wholeheartedly support what the community club are trying to do.

"The council is capital rich and have supported a number of other ventures with significant investment and this is no different."

Cllr Carolyn Woolridge said: "I’m really impressed with what I’ve heard tonight - really positive and really well thought through."

And Cllr Andrew McCormick added: "I am very pleased to hear how you are getting on with the business plan - very impressed.

"It’s very encouraging to hear and makes a pathway to bounce back very quickly and move back into the Camrose in the next few years."

The club are now working on a business plan, that will be presented to the council in the coming weeks.