ALMONDSBURY TOWN are in discussions with Filton College about moving to a new ground on the WISE Campus.

The College are looking for a senior side to use the ground, which will be on the same site as the running track, possibly with Bristol Academy Women’s Football Club, who play on Sundays.

Almondsbury Town chairman Bob Jenkins stressed that negotiations were only in the early stages and nothing has been finalised, but the option is appealing as it would create good links with the College and the ground would satisfy their Southern League ambitions.

The Hellenic Premier League outfit have been told to leave their clubhouse by May 31 next year by their Oaklands Park landlords, the Gloucestershire FA, who are turning it into a conference and training centre for referees and physios.

However, they have been granted a lease to use the ground next season and could continue playing at Oaklands Park in the Southern League should they go up this season.

Almondsbury have applied for promotion and everything must be in place by March 31 2009, so a decision on which ground they will be playing at next season will be made before then.

Jenkins said: “Ideally, if we get the opportunity to move to the WISE Campus that will do nicely for the training facilities and everything else that goes with it.

“It’s a great catchment area and if we could have a decent side playing locally we could get decent gates.”

“It’s down to time and whether we can get things sorted out.

“We need to have a lease in place but common sense says it’s better to see the one year out at Oaklands Park.”

Almondsbury are currently second in the Hellenic Premier Division under manager Richard Thompson, who guided Yate into the Southern League earlier this decade, and are four points behind league leaders Reading Town.

“The main aim is to get promoted this year,” said Jenkins.

“Richard has brought in decent players with Southern League experience so hopefully that will take us forward.”

Almondsbury only suffered their first league defeat at Witney United last Tuesday and visit Malmesbury Victoria on Boxing Day.

Thompson said: “I see it as a chance of bouncing back and let’s see if we can go on another 20 game unbeaten run.

“If we do that, we’ll be there or thereabouts.”

Meanwhile, Almondsbury have signed former Yate striker Aaron Blakemore from Clevedon Town.

College commitments meant Blakemore had difficulty attending training at his previous two clubs, but Thompson insists it will not be an issue.

“I’ve worked with Aaron for long enough and I know how to manage him,” he said.

“He needs to be happy while playing football and I know he’s a good player who can score some goals.

“He knows what I’m like on training and he’s fully aware that we train once a week on a Wednesday night so it’s not a problem.”