NORTHWICH Victoria do not know yet where they will be playing home matches next season.

A proposal was submitted to the Northern Premier League before the weekend, believed to be a new one-year deal – but without an option to extend – with Witton Albion.

However it was not approved.

Instead league officials asked for the agreement to be amended, but the Guardian understands they have yet to receive an updated document.

They will discuss what to do next at a board meeting scheduled for Sunday.

“Northwich asked for a 14-day extension to the [March 31] deadline, but we refused,” said Alan Allcock, league operations manager.

Witton, who announced last month that they planned to terminate an existing ground-share with Vics at the end of this season, have made no comment.

However they have arranged a meeting for supporters at Wincham Park tonight, Thursday, from 8pm.

“It is vital as many fans as possible attend,” said chairman Mark Harris.

The league has confirmed it will insist on strict financial safeguards in any agreement involving Vics - irrespective of where they play.

One suggestion is for the club to pay the full amount for a ground-share in advance.

Another is for their landlord, whoever that might be, to seek redress as a football creditor should they be late paying rent.

Neither of those clauses was in the proposed agreement sent to the league.

Allcock added: “As a league officer, I can’t afford for any club to be at risk of being evicted because of non-compliance with the terms of a ground-share they’ve negotiated.”

Witton and Vics agreed terms on an initial three-year arrangement last February.

An annual review was built-in, and Albion’s board opted to bring an early end to the deal.

They did not say why in a statement confirming their decision.