FORMER Winsford boxer Terry Tickle has put forward a rival vision for the future of the Barton Stadium.

He foresees the ground being completely revamped rather than sold to provide a new stadium and running track at Knight's Grange.

Tickle, who works for a sports provision company, said: 'Right now Winsford United are on their backside but new facilities would give them virtually unlimited potential.

'If I won the lottery I would put money into Winsford United because of the money they could generate.

'But I do think they should stay where they are - it is an established base that does not need any planning permission or bureaucracy.

'The development at Knight's Grange would take five years to come about.'

Tickle, 34, of Nunhouse Drive, works for Sheffield-based Banner Sports, which has laid more than 30 artificial pitches across the country. He and his company were also involved in the charity boxing tournament at the Civic Hall on Friday (see below).

The alternative plan would be for United and land trustees Winsford Town Council to agree the sale of the Barton Stadium, which would then finance an artificial running track, football ground and the usual stadium facilities.

Grants ought to be available but with United and athletics, the council would have no problem meeting their share of the costs.

It would also site the town's football club at the heart of the town sports complex and there would be money left over for the parties involved.

The disadvantage is that the football club and town council would have to work together, something they have been unable to do in recent years, and the development would depend on borough council involvement and would grind out progress - not quick enough, perhaps, to satisfy the man campaigning for new track, Cllr Brian Hall.

If United stayed put - and even if a track was laid at the Barton Stadium - a scheme could move more quickly.

In principle, Banner Sports could help United meet their commitment to the cost.

Tickle believes United need new everything - pitch, stands, social club and dressing rooms - as well as new synthetic community-use multi-sports pitches.

United have harboured not dis-similar plans for several years without making progress.

But Banner, says Tickle, could assist Winsford's application for grants as well as help with the funding and search for backers, whether they be commercial sponsors, breweries and grant bodies.

The setting up of a steering committee would be the next step, he says.

'If it cost, say, a million pounds then it is not a lot in terms of what is being achieved and the money it would generate.

'It would draw everyone in Winsford together behind the club, and my company has the expertise necessary and would consider a scheme that enabled United to tap into the new income by setting up a repayment scheme,' added Tickle.