WITTON Albion will reconsider a ground-share agreement with rivals Northwich Victoria if their tenants remain on course to be promoted.

Chairman Mark Harris told the Guardian the club’s board must take into account the consequences of Vics returning to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League’s top flight.

In short, the landlords’ matches would cease to have priority in their own stadium.

“It’s high on our agenda,” he said.

“And we’d be negligent not to take it into account when we review the situation immediately after Christmas.”

According to FA rules, when two teams host opponents at the same place, the one playing in the most senior competition has priority of fixture.

It applies to all games.

Harris said: “We’re bound totally by the FA’s regulations on ground-sharing, it’s not something we can get around with negotiation.”

Last month, Vics had to reschedule an FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie against Chorley because Albion had a home league fixture on the Saturday.

When both were drawn to play at home in the FA Trophy, Witton’s tenants switched their match to a Sunday.

But if Jim Gannon’s men are promoted, those situations would be reversed.

“I haven’t spoken to the rest of the board about it, so don’t know how they would react,” said Harris.

“So far, from a landlord’s perspective, the relationship has been fine – indeed the main challenges that have been thrown up have been when games have taken place close to one another.

“Our ground staff have been brilliant to get the pitch ready on those occasions.

“The financial element of the agreement is inescapable too; other than the money we take at the turnstile for our own games, it’s the most substantial source of income we have.

“But we must take a considered view of all factors.”

And they need to quickly, because the deadline for a ground-share agreement to be completed for next season is March 31.

In a joint statement earlier this year, Witton and Vics announced a three-year arrangement to share Wincham Park.

However Harris says an annual review is part of the deal.

He added: “There is a break clause in the lease if the agreement is not working for either party.”