COUNCILLORS in Haltwhistle are not giving up hope of acquiring a prominent site in the town for use by local footballers.

The Tyne field, near Hadrian Enterprise Park, was once home to the town’s all-conquering Crown Paints team, which competed in the premier division of the Northern Alliance league.

Part of the site was sacrificed when the Haltwhistle bypass was built in 1997, and the remainder has been in county council ownership since 2002, when Akzo Nobel closed the town’s paintworks.

The land has been earmarked for employment purposes in recent years, although Northumberland County Council has allowed Haltwhistle’s junior football teams to play there.

In July, the county council insisted that the land was not for sale, but Haltwhistle Town Council remains hopeful of bringing it into community ownership.

Chairing the latest town council meeting, Coun. Alan Sharp said: “There was a time in the past when this land was sold to the county council for £1, but I still believe Crown Paints always wanted it to be for the benefit of the town.

“An asset transfer would give us a lot of options, especially when it comes to providing much-needed space for football.

“I still think we need to work with the county council and see if we can find a way forward.”

Coun. Kevin Little said: “I have been told on good authority that the land is for sale, and we should try and secure it.”

Speaking this week, however, local county councillor Ian Hutchinson said: “It’s county council land and the intention is to use it for employment purposes.

“There is nothing happening in that regard at present, and therefore I don’t see a problem with junior footballers continuing to use it in the meantime.”

Haltwhistle’s football provision is limited.

The town’s adult team plays matches at the old school playing field, but has had to play some cup fixtures at Bardon Mill due to inadequate changing facilities.

The field, also known as the Burn field, has been re-seeded this summer, while drainage has also been improved.