BASINGSTOKE Town have made a provisional agreement to groundshare at Farnborough next season as they begin life away from the Camrose Ground.

With chairman Rafi Razzak about to end his time in charge, the Southern Premier Division club are due to sell their existing ground for redevelopment and use part of the funds generated from the sale to move forward at a new home.

But two potential options for a new ground have fallen through and, in the short-term, a groundshare at nearby Farnborough is their best way forward.

David Knight, CEO of Basingstoke Town FC, said: “Everyone at the club who has been involved in the decision-making process about its future has been working hard to find a new ground in the town or borough. That is, and will continue to be, our main focus and goal.

“Following the collapse of two potential options for a new ground, further discussions are now taking place. However, what has become clear is that the club has to have a groundshare option available for the 2017/18 season in order to meet a Football Association March 31 deadline which requires clubs to state where the first team intends to play football in the coming season.

“With this in mind, the club has agreed a provisional groundshare arrangement for 2017-18 with Farnborough FC. The finer details have still to be confirmed and these will be announced as soon as possible.

“Farnborough is considered to be the best groundshare option, particularly because its high-quality facilities will enable our first team manager Terry Brown to retain and attract the quality of players that he needs as part of the ongoing work to deliver long-term progress and success.”

Knight added: “The success of any proposal to find a new ground within the town or borough will depend on significant co-operation from Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council.

“Everyone at the club hopes that local councillors will be keen to offer their help and support. We are keen to work with the local council to help the club remain in the town which been its home for more than 120 years.”

Basingstoke intend to relocate to Farnborough for just one season and return to their home borough as soon as possible.

With that goal in mind, they have entered into discussions with Sydenhams Premier outfit Whitchurch United to explore a long-term groundsharing possibility.

A Farnborough statement said: “We will do everything to support our neighbours but, as we have had other groundshare interest, we will announce the final decision as soon as possible.

“We know that time is of the essence for everyone.

“We appreciate that the groundshare is hopefully only for one season while Basingstoke negotiate the return to their town and we wish them the very best in those discussions.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone involved at Basingstoke Town FC to Cherrywood Road in due course.”