PURPS HAVE A PLAN TO COME HOME TO ROOST

CITY of Liverpool have entered negotiations over a move that could see them bring football home for the first time.

The North West Counties Premier Division Purps, who were formed only three years ago and won promotion from Step 6 at the first attempt, are in talks with Liverpool City Council about developing a new community stadium at the former Fazakerley Playing Fields in Longmoor Lane, as a permanent home of their own.

They will spend the next six months drawing up a business case for the project including planning and financing the scheme, with a view to getting the council to grant a long-term lease on the site.

The club has been granted a “period of exclusivity” with the council that would prevent it being sold or leased to another party within the six-month period.

At present, City of Liverpool groundshare at Bootle’s TDP Solicitors Stadium, which is in Sefton outside the city limits, unlike Fazakerley,

The new club had originally intended to play within Liverpool’s boundaries from the start.

Club director Gary Johansen said: “We are delighted that we have this opportunity to secure the long-term future of the club.

“The club will undertake comprehensive consultation with our members and with the wider community as our plans for the site and the funding package required emerge in coming months.”