BRAINTREE Town’s chairman fears the club could fold by 2022, if draft local plan proposals go ahead.

The site of Braintree Town Football Club’s training facilities has been allocated for housing in the plan, a move that could leave the club homeless.

With plans for a new stadium recently stalling, this could spell the end of the former Crittall Sports and Social Club football team.

The club, nicknamed The Iron due to their history with the famous window firm, have invested more than £100,000 into the training facilities, improving the drainage, playing surface and installed a car park for spectators at the Avanti Stadium.

Lee Harding, chairman of Braintree Town, said: “The training ground land provides access to the stadium and access to the away part of the ground. So we would not be able to get into the stadium if houses were built there.

“If they build on the training pitch then we cannot stage games and there will be nowhere to park for the people who come to the games.

“It would immediately shut down the football ground.”

Braintree Town’s current home off of Clockhouse Way, but they have been after a new ground since 2004.

The club thought a solution had been found, in conjunction with Braintree Council at a new site behind the Springwood Drive Industrial Estate, but the proposals collapsed last year.

Mr Harding said: “Three months after we missed out on making the Football League we received the news Braintree had changed the use for the land. It was a body blow for the club.

“We are concerned there are fundamental decisions that need to be made to maintain the future of the club. If this comes to fruition then it is hard to see a future for Braintree Town.”

Mr Harding said: “I think we provide a very valuable service to the community of Braintree. We are approaching our 120th birthday but if things keep going like they are I think the 125th will be our last.

Braintree Council has promised to continue working with Braintree Town Football Club to find the club a new stadium.

The authority is currently in the final stages of putting together its local plan, with a final consultation closing on July 28.

After this the proposals will be sent to the planning inspector for approval.

Braintree Council owns both pieces of land and leases them to the clubs and any building work would not be able to begin until the leases expire or an agreement was reached with the clubs.

For Braintree Town FC the lease expires in 2030.

A Braintree Council spokesperson said: “The training pitch and the Braintree Lawn Tennis Club have long leases with the District Council and any relocation proposals would be subject to negotiation.

“In terms of Braintree Town Football stadium – the district council originally sold the stadium site to the club at a price which reflected its use for community sport.

“The council remains in dialogue with the club.”