TADCASTER Albion are hopeful of redeveloping Ings Lane after being hit by a fifth flood in less than a year.

At its peak, club spokesman John Clothier reported, the water level at the Global Stadium was close to five feet deep as a result of rain and melting snow. Water has again penetrated the clubhouse.

This does not impact on the club’s Northern Premier League north/west division fixtures which, due to the current lockdown, have been postponed up to and including March 6. There is a possibility that the season will be scrapped because of the pandemic and the subsequent fixture backlog. The club awaits further word from the league and the Football Association.

Clothier explained: "Taddy are one of the members of the Tadcaster Community Client Group, which represents the town as part of the Environment Agencies Tadcaster Flood Alleviation Scheme. It had been hoped that improvements would start in March this year but although these have been delayed, there are several options under consideration to mitigate the damage that any future flooding of the town might cause.

"One possible solution provides the necessary measures to safeguard the ground as much as is realistically possible and the club is working with the Environmental Agency to pursue this alternative to avoid the catastrophic problems suffered in recent times.

"The proposed new clubhouse, currently under consideration, would be built above the flood plain and constructed to withstand testing weather. The new structure will be significantly larger but sited roughly in much the same place as the existing building.

"The club will not only be looking to maximise the services and comforts available to the players, fans, and officials on matchday but hopes the new building will attract interest from local residents and businesses and will be available for hire.

"It is anticipated that the plans can soon be shared with volunteers and supporters and once they have been signed off by the club's directors, discussions with the local planning authority will progress with a view to an early planning application."