1874 NORTHWICH’S board have told supporters that a new ground is unlikely to be built on land they buy themselves.

However they insist that hosting opponents at their own home in the town is not merely a dream.

“Making it a reality will be a slow burn,” said James Wood.

“But it remains our number one priority as a club.”

A member of the club’s stadium development committee, he assured fans at their annual meeting that a search is ongoing for a place where 1874 can lay a pitch.

As if to prove as much, he met an architect the next day for an initial discussion of what a new home for a North West Counties League team might look like.

And how much it would cost.

Wood added: “We think purchasing a plot to build a ground on is unachievable, so we're not exploring that option.

“That does not mean there aren’t alternatives. In fact, there are a number of them.”

In a report to members, he specified there are eight.

That’s eight possibilities, not sites, though they have visited more than one of those too.

He was asked if one option is to stay permanently – or at least long-term – at Winsford United’s Barton Stadium.

“If that’s what you want,” he replied.

“But that’s not our thinking. The clue is in the name; we’re 1874 Northwich, not Winsford.

“We feel as a board that we won’t be able to truly grow the way we want to – as club and also in the community around us – until we have a home of our own.

“I understand people’s frustration, but there are conversations taking place with parties we feel could help with our plans.

“Most of those are at an early stage, and are sensitive in nature – those people won’t want the detail of those discussions in the public domain.”

In the meantime 1874 have reached an agreement with their landlords to share the Barton Stadium for another two seasons, until the end of the 2017-2018 campaign.

They will pay a bit more to do so too.

“That gives us more time to develop a plan to get to Northwich,” said chairman Paul Stockton.

“It’s only our third season, and we’ve had to prove we’re serious – as well as capable – about running a football club.”

Wood said Maidstone United had taken two decades, from their formation, to play at their own ground.

However North West Counties League rivals Runcorn Linnets, after initially sharing Witton Albion’s Wincham Park home, waited only four before switching to the Millbank Linnets Stadium.

“A dose of realism is needed; this is going to take time, money and effort,” he added.