Work has begun on Thame United’s new £3m community stadium at Church Farm.

Thame were kicked off their old Windmill Stadium ground in 2005, and have spent the last five years in a nomadic existence, ground-sharing at Aylesbury United and latterly AFC Wallingford.

During this time, the club have slumped into Division 1 East of the FTL Futbol Hellenic League, but are having an excellent season as they bid to move back up the footbakll pyramid.

The project will provide a new home for Thame United as well as Thame Boys, Youth and Girls.

The new stadium and clubhouse will have a capacity of around 3,000, with the further creation of nine other pitches on the 20-acre site.

Thame chairman Jake Collinge said: “It’s been a long time coming, but at last we can say that football is coming back home to Thame.

“We see it is vitally important to partner ourselves with Thame Boys, Youth and Girls, and we also look to develop local talent and provide them with a first-class facility.”

Collinge, who has worked tirelessly on the project added: “This will have a positive impact for the club’s reserve and under 18 teams.

“The new stadium will attrack new players and will strengthen opportunities.

“Through the management of Mark West and Frank Thompson the first team are in a good position in the league, and it’s going to be an exciting few months.”

The £3m complex, which was funded by sources including councils and the Football Foundation, should be completed by early autumn.

Collinge said: “It would be great to start next season in the Hellenic Premier Division and we will certainly have a stadium in Thame that will be our own.”