AS Alton Town Football Club’s new home nears completion, the club’s chairman has invited the community to give them a rousing send-off ahead of their move.

The football club’s journey over the past decade has been a treacherous one, filled with twists, turns, fears of disbandment, and what seemed an almost relentless series of setbacks.

But with work at the new Anstey Park ground taking shape and light finally emerging at the end of the tunnel, Alton Town chairman Jim McKell has thanked supporters and called on the town to come cheer them on for the final game at their soon-to-be former Bass (Molson Coors) sports ground home.

“It is some 10 years since our landlords, Molson Coors, approached us with the news that they would like to move us off their site so that it could be sold for housing or other development,” explained Mr McKell.

“There have been lots of discussions and ideas, negotiations, planning applications being both withdrawn and refused, planning appeals made and dismissed, different plans for houses or a supermarket to be developed on our present site.

“And to where should we be moved? There were plans for a grass pitch and stadium and a 3G arena on Diggers in Anstey Park which was withdrawn by Molson Coors before the council could reach a decision. Plans to move Alton United Youth out of their Anstey Park Enclosure into new facilities on the elbow towards Diggers in Anstey Park while updating the Enclosure for use by Alton Town – planning permission was refused and the appeal dismissed.

“Molson Coors then agreed to a solution that would see them finance the upgrading of the Anstey Park stadium to Wessex League standards (the town council are the landlords).

“This would include up-to-date floodlights and the provision of a 3G artificial grass pitch (approved for match play by the FA) together with a replacement stand and with the changing rooms being remodelled. Such improvements enable Alton United Youth (the current leaseholders) and Alton Town to come together as one larger club and thereby enable all to benefit from these improved facilities.”

Mr McKell continued: “The re-provision of our football club to Anstey Park was then dependent on Molson Coors obtaining a favourable planning outcome for the redevelopment of the sports ground that is currently our home. That was subsequently granted, with the restrictive covenant on the ground being removed in an agreement between East Hampshire District Council and Coors. This was the final hurdle in allowing the redevelopment of the Anstey Park Enclosure, including a 3G pitch, enabling Alton Town’s move to that upgraded facility.”

The works at Anstey Park began in August and are now nearing completion. Mr McKell said it was estimated to be finished by mid-November.

But he explained that “whatever the exact timetable”, the key thing was that they “are secure at our current home until the new one is completed and ready for use”.

The date for the last game at their Anstey Road home will be penciled in soon and, after such an arduous saga, it is set to be a final whistle to remember.

“We will announce the date of our final celebration fixture at the Bass in the near future, when we would ask all non-league people and everyone who has ever had an association with the club to join together on that day – past supporters, helpers, players, committee, managers, coaches, including past opposition members,” added Mr McKell.

“Sincere thanks to everyone who has supported us in whatever form, we are most grateful. A solution has been found and it would seem that all will be well.”