ALMONDSBURY TOWN have applied to the parish council to play at the Hallen Centre next season.

After winning the Hellenic Premier Division last season, Almondsbury were only able to play in the Southern League for the first time in their history this season after agreeing a last-minute one-year deal with their Oaklands Park landlords, the Gloucestershire FA.

However, Winterbourne United and Roman Glass St George have agreed three-year-deals to play at the ground from the 2011-12 season.

Although a deal with another club outside of the parish, like the one agreed with Clevedon before an FA ruling stated they would not be allowed to gain entry into the Southern League by ground sharing, would be possible next season, Almondsbury want to stay close to their roots.

They will also not be moving to Filton College as the new stadium there will be used solely for women’s football.

Although Toolstation Western League side Hallen currently play at the Hallen Centre, the ground is owned by the parish council and Almondsbury are pleading for their help to share the ground with them next season.

Almondsbury chairman Bob Jenkins said: “There’s a possibility that the name of Almondsbury might have to go out of the parish next season, hence the reason why we’re hoping the council will give us some leeway and help us down at the Hallen Centre.

“The facilities aren’t used to their full capacity so I would have thought it would be a good business proposition to go down there to be honest.

“We want to help the community and stay in the area, so all we can do is keep sending letters and going to meetings and hopefully we’ll get some support off the community.

“We’re the only side in the parish playing level four football so it would make common sense for us to stay local.”

Winterbourne have won Hellenic League Division One West twice in the last five seasons but were unable to get promoted on both occasions as their ground at Parkside Avenue did not have adequate facilities and they were not able to build floodlights on the site.

New league rules meant they even faced demotion from the league but the deal to play at Oaklands Park will give them the opportunity to progress.

Winterbourne chairman Robyn Maggs said: “I am thrilled at the prospects now facing the club after many years of planning refusals left us in stalemate and doubt.

“I would like to think that our standing in local football has earned us the distinction of being worthy new tenants at GFA HQ.”

Gloucestershire FA Chief Executive, David Neale, said: “Earlier this year, Almondsbury Town told us they planned to move away from Oaklands Park, but shortly afterwards asked to stay for one further year in order to achieve promotion to the Southern League.

“We were happy to agree to their request and as they made it clear it was only for one year, we immediately began the search for a new club.

“We were very pleased when two well respected local clubs, who have both struggled to have floodlights installed on their sites, came to us and asked if they could ground-share at Oaklands Park, and we are delighted to have reached an agreement with them.”