MILKWALL Football Club officials say they are committed to their dream move, to a new ground with two main pitches, four mini pitches, floodlights and a modern clubhouse.

The football club's current home is Eden Wall Road.

However, they want to sell their ground in order to finance a move to a nearby area of scrubland that belongs to the Forest of Dean Golf Club.

The footballers say they have 'shaken hands on an agreement' with the owners of the golf club, although the golf club itself is currently up for sale.

The 52-bedroom Bells hotel and 18-hole course in Coleford has been put on the market by Forest businessman Harry Kear as he looks to move into semi-retirement.

Milkwall FC secretary Graham Grindle said: "The land we want to buy is opposite our current home, by the 13th hole of the golf course. It is not currently used.

"The deal hinges on the planning application to change the use of that land."

Planning applications are currently being prepared to get Milkwall's ball rolling.

If successful, the football club would also need to level the land on the new ground. Their ambitious plans could even include a form of under-soil heating.

Mr Grindle says the move would give the football club twice as much space as they currently have.

"The problem is our ground is not big enough, it's two yards too short in width and five yards too short in length for us to go up to the Northern Senior or County Leagues.

"The sale of our ground should cover the costs, we've no intentions of getting into hock."

Bell Homes have confirmed an interest in buying Milkwall Football Club's current home.

Keith Bell told The Forester: "We are interested, but in no hurry to push things along."

Mr Bell said value figures previously reported of £4.6 million were way off the mark, indicating that the value in the current economic climate would probably be 'nearer a quarter of that'.

He also stressed that the golf club still had 'a lot of involvement in what happens'. He said he did not foresee any major issues, regarding building on the football ground.

Villagers were leafleted last year with some details of the plans. The leaflets indicated at least 40 new homes could be created.

Milkwall FC currently play in the North Gloucestershire League. They have two senior teams and a developing junior set-up.

Mr Grindle admitted the club's plans were ambitious, but achievable.

"We've got excellent trustees," he said.