Albion Sports in Bradford submits plans for new football ground

Albion Sports' first proper home would be on land off Lower Lane in Bradford

Albion Sports is the only club playing in the Premier Division of the Northern Counties East League that does not have its own playing field.

Plans for a site off Lower Lane have been submitted and, if approved, the Bradford club could be playing there by the start of the 2024/25 season.

Albion Sports said it would be "brilliant to finally find a home".

Founded in 1974, Albion Sports Association Football Club began as a Sunday league club.

Currently the team play at Horsfall Stadium as part of a ground share with Bradford (Park Avenue).

The club says the move would be a "milestone" in its history, creating a new home for the first team as well as a "vital training and development facility for the youth and junior teams," according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The planning application submitted to Bradford Council is for a new changing pavilion, turnstile entrance, first aid room, new portable toilet block and two new shelters for managers and substitutes.

There would also be LED flood-lights, a five-metre high fence to catch balls and a new 58-space car park.

Plans for the changing pavilion include a lounge, kitchen, storerooms, changing rooms with showers and toilets, and a baby change area.

A spokesman for the club said: "Everyone associated with the club are all looking forward to the next milestone in the club's history. It will make it that more special to have this in the club's 50th year anniversary."

"We have been working closely with the council for some time to identify a suitable home for the first team and junior set up."

A Bradford Council spokesman added: "2024 is the 50th anniversary of Albion Sports AFC and they're hoping that moving into the new ground will coincide with the celebrations of this significant milestone."

A decision on the planning application is expected to be made later this month.