FOOTBALL: Thame United have been handed a massive boost after gaining planning permission for a £3m ground development outside the town.

And if all goes to plan the Hellenic League side, who were founded in 1883, could move into their new home, which will include a new clubhouse, by the start of the 2009/10 season.

Work is expected to start in spring next year.

Thame have been homeless since landlords Coleman Properties repossessed Windmill Stadium in 2005.

They ground-shared with Aylesbury United, before moving to play at AFC Wallingford for the last two seasons.

Members of the South Oxfordshire District Council planning committee unanimously backed plans for the 20-acre development off Church Lane, which will include a floodlit main pitch up to Southern League standard, a full-size floodlit artificial pitch, three additional full-size grass pitches and four small pitches.

Chairman Jake Collinge has spearheaded the project, and could not hide his delight at the news.

"It reflects the enormous amount of work that a huge number of people have put into the project over the last two years," said Collinge, who is also the club's secretary.

Manager Mark West, charged with the responsibility of trying to get the club back up the football ladder, was thrilled.

"It's great news for the town - when it's ready we can start getting back to where we were before," said West, who returned to the club in January 2007.

"It was the club's ambition that was one of the reasons why I came back.

He added that the project owed a huge debt of gratitude to Collinge and a large number of volunteeers.

"I am really pleased for Jake. Without him and the committee, it would never have got off the ground."

The new proposal has been put together by Thame Football Partnership (TFP), an amalgamation of Thame Boys Youth & Girls and Thame United.

Most of the money for the project is expected to come once planning permission is given for the residential redevelopment of Windmill Road, together with grant funding and donations.

TFP communications director, Frank Thompson, added: "The plans we have will bring pleasure to hundreds of children playing with the Thame Boys, Youth & Girls FC team as well as providing a much-needed home for Thame United FC which will secure over a century of football heritage for this town."