STATEMENT: Salisbury FC takes lease on Andover Town's ground

Salisbury Football Club have today confirmed that their ownership group, Proleague Limited, has completed the transfer of Andover Town Football Club - and taken a 25-year lease their home ground Portway Stadium from Test Valley Borough Council.

Salisbury Football Club have today confirmed that their ownership group, Proleague Limited, has completed the transfer of Andover Town Football Club - and taken a 25-year lease their home ground Portway Stadium from Test Valley Borough Council.

Andover Town will keep its name and identity, and will continue to play at Portway.

The Club said in a statement this morning:

"First and foremost, this is an investment in Andover Town.

"Andover is a town with a lot of young footballing talent, and its club should be the leading club in the area.

"Our ambition is to take Andover Town up the divisions and build a club the town is proud of.

"Andover Town will be led day to day by Mohammad Alkandari, our partner in the club. Mohammad will run the club as its Chief Executive, and he will be showing supporters what is happening behind the scenes on the club's social channels as the work begins.

"Salisbury benefits from this partnership, too. Young players coming through our academy will have a clear route into senior football, and players who need minutes will get them at a good level. The two clubs will share scouting and coaching resources.

"At Portway, we plan to improve the facilities, including looking at an all-weather 3G pitch that would allow a place for our first team to train and open the ground to the community during the week.

Chairman Ali Alhamad said, “This is a proud day for both clubs. I care deeply about this region and its young players, and Andover Town has huge potential that we intend to back properly. The synergy between the two clubs is what excites me most: the multi-club model gives our young players a clear pathway into senior football, opens up new opportunities for scouting and investment, and makes both clubs stronger on and off the pitch. Our aim is to build something Salisbury and Andover are both proud of."

The club added, "We would like to thank Sparsholt College for the way they have looked after Andover Town and for their help throughout the handover, and Test Valley Borough Council for their support in agreeing the lease of Portway Stadium".

Ben Stokes of Sparsholt College added, "We look back with fond memories of our time as the custodians of Andover Town Football Club. Through its inception in 2013 and reviving a football club at the Portway Stadium, we have seen many successes on the pitch and supporting the progression routes for aspiring young footballers who also attended Andover and Sparsholt Colleges. We are excited by the new opportunities for Andover, its supporters and the local community and will continue to offer our support to Andover Town."

On their Facebook page, the club says they will "share more in the coming weeks", including their plans for the season and how supporters of both clubs can get involved.