Harrogate Town are in talks over a possible move away from their Wetherby Road ground, with the nearby Great Yorkshire Showground emerging as a potential site for a new home.

Chairman Bill Fotherby has long advocated a move, saying there was little scope for expansion or development at Wetherby Road, and he is now eyeing up a switch to a purpose-built stadium in the town.

The UniBond League club are in talks with Harrogate Borough Council as regards other possible, as yet unnamed, sites, but Fotherby said the Showground would be an ideal venue and initial discussions with landowners Yorkshire Agricultural Society have already begun.

"The Showground would be perfect," the former Leeds United supremo told the Evening Press.

"We're looking at several sites but I would be over the moon if we could move there.

"I would prefer it to be a purpose-built stadium where people could be in comfort and enjoy the game and the facilities. It would be an ideal move for the whole community."

Town lease their present ground from the council and Fotherby would want a similar deal for a new home. "It's vital that you look forward because if you don't you go backwards," he added.

"These things don't happen overnight. It takes time. We're not about to move anywhere; we're discussing the possibility of moving and negotiations are ongoing."

He added: "Wetherby Road is a lovely, neat, little ground but if we were to have success it would not be good staying there. There is no room to expand, no room for increased parking. We haven't got another pitch for the reserves or youth team."

These new plans for a move were revealed after Fotherby's hopes of merging Town with neighbours Harrogate Railway were scuppered by the Northern Counties East League club.

"Railway have declined to have a meeting, which I find surprising," said Fotherby, adding: "We're disappointed they don't want to listen to us or meet with us."

Meanwhile, Town are trying to increase support at Wetherby Road by offering cheap drinks and big screen FA Cup football before tomorrow's home UniBond League division one clash with Belper Town.

Leeds United's cup clash with Liverpool, kicking off at noon, is televised live on satellite TV and Town will be bringing in a 10ft by 6ft screen on which to show it. The club bar will also be selling beer at a £1 a pint from the kick off until the first goal is scored.

"I want to encourage people to come to our ground, enjoy the facilities and hopefully they will want to stay for our game and keep coming back," added Fotherby.

Updated: 11:57 Friday, January 26, 2001