PROTESTERS who are campaigning to save the Camrose football stadium are hoping to follow in the footsteps of Bury Football Ground.

The Camrose stadium was the home of Basingstoke Town Football Club for over 70 years until it was evicted by its former owner and Chairman, Rafi Razzak.

Rafi Razzak and his company Basron spent the best part of two and a half years refining the application to turn the Camrose ground into an 85-bed housing estate and a care home. Since then both applications were rejected by the council but Mr Razzak has appealed the decision with a public appeal hearing taking place on March 22.

SEE MORE: 'He has no leg to stand on': Protesters hopeful as Camrose stadium appeal hearing to be held next month

David Graham, who lives in Basingstoke, is just one of the dedicated football fans protesting to the save the much-loved stadium and formed a group with several others.

As previously reported he hopes to see the ground turned into “a top-class” football stadium.

They are now hoping to follow in the footsteps of Gigg Lane, one of the world’s oldest professional football stadiums which has been home to Bury FC since the club was founded in 1885.

Leisure sector specialist Fleurets was appointed as the agent to market the stadium. Bids were received a number from parties in the UK and overseas.

Bury Council we’re unanimous and agreed not to sell Gigg Lane for housing and highlighted that Gigg Lane will remain a Football Ground unless a ground in Bury was build equivalent to Gigg Lane.

This week the fate of the stadium has been concluded, paving the way for the return of football to the historic ground.

Steve Frangou, another Camrose protester, said: “If the Council of Bury can do it then so can we here in Basingstoke there are no excuses.”

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The appeal hearing is expected to last up to three days.

David added: “In my opinion, if there is any logic his appeal should fail 100 per cent because he really has no basis for the appeal. He does not have a leg to stand on to be honest and I think we will absolutely demolish them."

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