Brig O’Lea Stadium has been earmarked for demolition in the Neilston Development Infill Strategy, which was published earlier this year.

The document is currently out for consultation so residents can have their say.

And the junior side is hoping to persuade as many Neilston residents as possible to voice their objections to the proposals. If enough objections are received, it is taken into account when councillors review consultation findings later in the year.

If this is successful, the club hope to establish a sports trust in Neilston, involving clubs from across the village, and use the money to re-establish Brig O’Lea as a community asset.

Andy Whiteford, Neilston Juniors manager, spoke at Neilston Community Council at their meeting on January 29.

He said: “The consensus within the club is that we do not want to leave Brig O’Lea, it is very much the side’s home and it has been used since 1825 for sports and events within the community.

“Neilston Victoria played on it, Neilston Thistle during the war and Neilston Juniors from then on.

“We want to keep that going and continue with Brig O’Lea. We now want to move into the realms of the community trust and develop Brig O’Lea for the benefit of the community as a whole, open it up to people and open up other sports and leisure to the use of Brig O’Lea.” East Renfrewshire Council’s proposals would see the stadium demolished to make way for 48 new homes on the site, while the juniors side would share a sports complex at Kingston playing fields with other sports clubs on an artificial surface with a small stand.

However the club is arguing in favour of what it sees as a better way forward for sports and leisure in the village and the community as a whole.

Mr Whiteford continued: “I am extremely concerned by the lack of facilities for sports in Neilston, more so for the kids who aren’t able to travel, and everyone else.

“This is why we believe that having this over arching club or trust in place, which will have charitable status, and potentially Neilston Juniors, and amateur football teams, Neilston Wasps all joining this overarching trust. This opens up some routes to funding and potentially open up development opportunities for clubs even outside of sports to become involved.

“It would be more of a leisure trust as it can also lead to music, arts and all being incoprorated under this lead organisation.” The proposals from the junior side are at an early stage however the club has invited residents to communicate with them about the proposal, and help them establish a plan that suits the community.

An official release from the club read: “Brig O’Lea stadium is part of the heritage of the village.

“It is known throughout Scotland as the home of junior football in Neilston. Please let East Renfrewshire Council know that you want the ground to remain as an asset for the people of Neilston.” Residents can comment on the proposals set forth by the infill strategy until February 18.

Neilston Community Council is holding a public meeting on February 11, in the Glen Halls at 7pm to discuss the proposals which also include a major re-development of Neilston Main Street, the previously mentioned complex at Kingston Playing fields and changes to the historic Crofthead Mill.

There will also be homes built on vacant land dotted around the village.

Residents can view the plans at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/SPG and view the plans.

Brig O’Lea Stadium has been earmarked for demolition in the Neilston Development Infill Strategy, which was published earlier this year.

The document is currently out for consultation so residents can have their say.

And the junior side is hoping to persuade as many Neilston residents as possible to voice their objections to the proposals. If enough objections are received, it is taken into account when councillors review consultation findings later in the year.

If this is successful, the club hope to establish a sports trust in Neilston, involving clubs from across the village, and use the money to re-establish Brig O’Lea as a community asset.

Andy Whiteford, Neilston Juniors manager, spoke at Neilston Community Council at their meeting on January 29.

He said: “The consensus within the club is that we do not want to leave Brig O’Lea, it is very much the side’s home and it has been used since 1825 for sports and events within the community.

“Neilston Victoria played on it, Neilston Thistle during the war and Neilston Juniors from then on.

“We want to keep that going and continue with Brig O’Lea. We now want to move into the realms of the community trust and develop Brig O’Lea for the benefit of the community as a whole, open it up to people and open up other sports and leisure to the use of Brig O’Lea.” East Renfrewshire Council’s proposals would see the stadium demolished to make way for 48 new homes on the site, while the juniors side would share a sports complex at Kingston playing fields with other sports clubs on an artificial surface with a small stand.

However the club is arguing in favour of what it sees as a better way forward for sports and leisure in the village and the community as a whole.

Mr Whiteford continued: “I am extremely concerned by the lack of facilities for sports in Neilston, more so for the kids who aren’t able to travel, and everyone else.

“This is why we believe that having this over arching club or trust in place, which will have charitable status, and potentially Neilston Juniors, and amateur football teams, Neilston Wasps all joining this overarching trust. This opens up some routes to funding and potentially open up development opportunities for clubs even outside of sports to become involved.

“It would be more of a leisure trust as it can also lead to music, arts and all being incoprorated under this lead organisation.” The proposals from the junior side are at an early stage however the club has invited residents to communicate with them about the proposal, and help them establish a plan that suits the community.

An official release from the club read: “Brig O’Lea stadium is part of the heritage of the village.

“It is known throughout Scotland as the home of junior football in Neilston. Please let East Renfrewshire Council know that you want the ground to remain as an asset for the people of Neilston.” Residents can comment on the proposals set forth by the infill strategy until February 18.

Neilston Community Council is holding a public meeting on February 11, in the Glen Halls at 7pm to discuss the proposals which also include a major re-development of Neilston Main Street, the previously mentioned complex at Kingston Playing fields and changes to the historic Crofthead Mill.

There will also be homes built on vacant land dotted around the village.

Residents can view the plans at www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/SPG and view the plans.