PLANS to move Selby Town Football Club to a new purpose-built stadium just outside the town centre are in danger of being kicked into touch.

Club officials say there is still time left to play in the long-running scheme that would see the Northern Counties East League team leave its Richard Street home for a new ground at East Common Lane.

But Selby College, a partner in the plan, which has been in the offing for five years, say they believe the scheme is dead.

A college spokesman said: “There have been long-standing plans involving land next to East Common Lane, which is adjacent to Selby College land.

“Our understanding is, as a result of the credit crunch and planning regulations involving flood plains, that the project will not now be going ahead.

“The college is now determined to secure adequate sports facilities for our students and the community, working in partnership with the council and others to develop a third generation floodlit pitch and training facilities on our land.”

Tommy Arkley, Selby Town FC secretary, said the project had stalled after former chairman Mike Dunne left the committee due to ill health.

“We’re trying to pick up the pieces,” he said. “We’re in limbo at the moment.”

But he refused to call time on the project, saying: “As a committee, we’re trying to get meetings set up with the council and college to either push forward or say, that’s it, we’re not moving.”

A planning application was submitted by developer Portford Homes four years ago to build 59 houses on the Richard Street site.

The club confirmed last year it was set to receive £3 million from the deal, which would then be used to develop a stadium at East Common Lane.

But that planning process has ground to a halt.

A council spokesman said planners needed more information from Portford Homes before they could proceed with the Richard Street application.

No one from the developer was available for comment at the time of going to press.