Former Darlaston Town FC ground 'will be demolished'

Walsall Council has lodged a planning application to bring down the Waverley Road base.

A spokesman said it could be demolished within two months.

The ground has been empty since 2013 and is now in ownership of Walsall Council.

In November a blaze tore through the ground, before a second blaze took place in the changing rooms back in March and last week, another fire broke out in the main stand.

Plans are now in place that would see the historic ground demolished.

Walsall Council spokesperson Peter Cole said: "A planning application has been submitted by the council to the planning and heritage departments.

This could see the site brought down in around eight weeks time."

Councillor Doug James, who represents the Darlaston North area, said he was pleased the proposal had been put forward but expressed concern about what will happen next.

He said: "I am glad Walsall Council has listened to residents concerns and is looking at bringing down the ground.

"It is an issue I have raised repeatedly for a number of years and it has been sad to see the site deteriorate into a spot for vandals and arsonists.

"However, we have an ongoing issue with public health in Darlaston and I would like to see this site, which has historical value linking to sport, continue be used for sporting purposes.

"I think the council needs to enter into a dialogue with community groups and let them have a say over what happens next here.

"There are certainly a number of lessons to be learned from this and while I welcome the move, I would be concerned that the right thing may not be done in relation to the site."

Darlaston Town played at the ground from the late 1890s until the club folded in 2013.

Although a 'phoenix' club with the same name was subsequently formed, Walsall Council took over ownership of the City Ground and boarded it up.

Neil Chambers, chairman of splinter club Darlaston Town (1874), which has recently signed a 25-year lease at Bentley Leisure Pavilion, said the ground contained a 'lot of history' but admitted he 'knew' the day would come when the ground would be facing the bulldozer.

He said: "There is a lot of history attached to this site, which has seen some great players over the years and was much loved by opposition fans.

"However, when the council took control in 2013, I knew football wouldn't be played there again and in my heart of hearts I knew this day would come."