Ex-Wyrley Rangers clubhouse could become place of worship

The land in Long Lane, Essington, has been on the market for more than a year and now owner Nadir Imamoglu has applied to South Staffordshire District Council for a change of use for the former clubhouse.

Under the proposal the building could be used as a place of worship, crèche, day nursery, training centre or exhibition space.

The two football pitches will remain in use for local teams under the plans.

Mr Imamoglu, a former Turkish professional footballer and ex-chairman of Great Wyrley Parish Council, said: "We hope it will go to public and community use with the sports pitches still being used by sports teams.

"It is using the clubhouse more like a community centre, there are several uses along those lines which will hopefully make the site a bit more sell-able.

"I have gone past retirement age, I really need a bit of piece and quiet.

"I deserve it as well, I have put a lot into football and the community. I have provided these wonderful facilities for many years now.

"The club house we have got is quite large and under used and this application is about what other uses we can get out of it.

"A children's centre, a place of worship, there is quite a few areas where it can be used rather than staying idle."

Previous plans for four bungalows to be built on the site were thrown out by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles after being rejected by Essington Parish Council and South Staffordshire District Council.

Residents in Long Lane campaigned to stop the application because of concerns over the green belt and the loss of a community sports facility

The eight-acre site, which boats two floodlit pitches, a 100-seater covered stand, and a caretaker's bungalow, was originally listed as for sale last April – with a guide price of some £800,000.

However, according to Mr Imamoglu, this has now been lowered to £745,000.

He said: "It is a niche project. You can flick through the property pull-out in the Express & Star and it is very rare you will see a site like this. It is very niche, which makes it difficult to sell."

Founded in 1988, Wyrley Rangers joined the West Midlands Regional League.

In 2007, after finishing 14th in their second season in the Premier Division and winning the league's JW Hunt Cup, the club withdrew from the West Midlands Regional League and folded.