WREXHAM AFC has signed heads of terms with the local authority as plans for the National League club to set up a training ground in the town centre move forward.

The football club has switched between bases after leaving its training facility at Colliers Park, near Gresford in 2016 because of running costs.

It has since been taken on by the Football Association of Wales and turned into a national football development centre following a significant investment.

The fan-owned club, which is run by the Wrexham Supporters Trust, currently trains on the Nine Acre Field.

However, with Wrexham Council unveiling plans to build a new primary school on the land, the two parties have been negotiating to establish a training ground on the site of the former Groves School.

Spencer Harris, director of Wrexham AFC, said the signing of the heads of terms document was an important step towards the club developing its own facilities.

He said: “Following on from receiving the backing of our membership, it’s great to see these proposals moving forward and to be working with Wrexham Council for the future benefit of both the football club and the future generations of players.

“There is still much work to be done but this is a significant step in the journey to having our own training facilities again.”

The 99-year lease would see the club charged a peppercorn rent to use the land, which has been disused since the former grammar school closed.

The council had intended to create new education facilities on the site itself, but was blocked from demolishing the old buildings after they were listed by the Welsh Goverment.

The future lease will be subject to planning permission being secured and the removal of restrictive covenants on the land.

The agreement comes after the club said it was in need of high quality pitches in order to maximise their performance on the pitch.

Cllr Mark Pritchard, leader of the council, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Spencer Harris and the board of directors for working in true partnership with us on these proposals.”