By ADAM LAZZARI WORK has finally started on creating a new ground for Wisbech Town Football Club. The ground, off Lynn Road, has been in the pipeline for three years. Jeff Fitt, the club s project manager for the new stadium, said: I believe that all hu

By ADAM LAZZARI

WORK has finally started on creating a new ground for Wisbech Town Football Club.

The ground, off Lynn Road, has been in the pipeline for three years.

Jeff Fitt, the club's project manager for the new stadium, said: "I believe that all hurdles have now been cleared. It's taken a long time but everybody at the club has pulled together. No date has been set for completion."

Norfolk County Council contactors moved in on Monday and began clearing the area around the layby to enable work to start on the entrance.

They have been given 35 days to complete this work. A culvert will then be formed to bridge the dyke and work will then start on the car park.

Spencer Larham, editor of the Wisbech Town FC website, said: "There is now finally a light at the end of the tunnel.

"The ground simply must be completed in time for the 2010-2011 season because the club will not be able to survive playing at Outwell until then. Attendances have been down significantly since we moved there.

"I understand that the pitch is one of the first things to be created and it will take a long time to get this up to the required standard."

Wisbech chairman Paul Brenchley has applied for a �100,000 grant from the Football Foundation to help pay for the cost of the ground.

The club made initial plans to sell Fenland Park in 2006 to clear debts of around �300,000, caused mainly by players' wages.

Fenland Park was sold to Purple Properties Ltd for �1.4 million.

Planning permission for the new ground was granted by West Norfolk Council in April last year but the club has been delayed dealing with highways and drainage issues.

Pictures: BRIAN PURDY