Romford Football Club is in the final stages of applying for planning permission for a move home to Westlands Playing Fields.

Romford Recorder: Romford manager Paul Martin celebrates (Pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo)Romford manager Paul Martin celebrates (Pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo) (Image: �TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468)

Boro will play their 2018/19 Bostik North matches at East Thurrock United’s Rookery Hill home as part of a new ground share agreed a few months ago, but the club is already putting in plans for the future.

Chairman Steve Gardener confirmed they will be putting in planning permission to build a community facility, including a 3G pitch for the first team and their academy worth around £1million in the coming weeks.

“The club needs to come home – that’s imperative to build our supporter base and the community work we want to do in the local area,” he said.

“We can’t start working with the local community and schools when we’re not in the area so it’s important we get back and start doing that.

“We want to build a community facility at Westlands that will not only benefit the first team but we can have a reserve team, the academy and local schools using the pitch.

“There is a shortage of 3G pitches in the borough and we want to change that and give more opportunities in the local area to coach or play or even host cup finals.”

The club is hosting their annual AGM at Ford Sports & Social Club in Newbury Park at 7.30pm on Monday, May, 21 and the upcoming plans are expected to be revealed to the supporters.

“We’re at the final stages before the planning is submitted so hopefully we can give some good news at the AGM,” added Gardener.

“If you look at something like Brentwood have got, that’s the sort of thing we’re planning to have.

“We’re not going to have anything too out there or crazy just enough to meet the Bostik ground grading and enough for it to be used by the local community.”

Gardener did reveal they still need help from businesses or companies to pull off the move with sponsorship and investment coming into the club ahead of next season, adding: “We’re looking for investors to come on board with sponsorship of team shirts and programmes.

“There is also a lot of funding opportunities that we’re looking into and we’re hoping we can get some grants as well.”