FROME Town FC is offering a “helping hand” to their neighbours across the border following league and FA approval.

The club announced it will allow Westbury United FC to play home games at Frome’s Badgers Hill ground until the end of the season due to Westbury United having a “longstanding” financial issue.

Phil Hampson, Westbury United’s chairman, said that due to an issue with the club’s electrical supply, they no longer meet the Southern League’s grading criteria, and as a result the club cannot fulfil the remaining home fixtures at their ground, the Platinum Hyundai Park.

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He said United is “eternally grateful” for Frome Town’s support in offering Badgers Hill as a home venue and that the club will take full responsibility for the “horrible situation.”

In a statement, Frome Town said the decision is in the best interests of the local footballing community.

Chairman of Frome Town, Derek Graham, said the move will ensure financial stability and save one of the club’s nearest neighbours.

“Prior to Frome Town Council’s generous and crucial decision to step in a few years ago, many of you will remember that our club was just days away from liquidation,” he said.

“For the players, the staff, the board members and long-standing supporters, we know just how stressful and heart-breaking a situation like this can be – it involved sleepless nights and a horrible sense of unease about the future of our club.

“We are a footballing family after all”

“It was with that in mind and having been there that we took the decision to offer a helping hand to our neighbours, Westbury United.

“This decision was, of course, not taken lightly. There were several considerations at play here and many of the responses to this evening’s news are understood by members of the FTAFC Board.

“Our ground maintenance team from Greensward are aware and confident that they have the capacity to carry out pitch works and repairs for the added fixtures.

“The agreement we have reached with the approval of the community benefit society has the double benefit of ensuring financial stability but, more importantly, saving one of our nearest neighbours.

“We are a footballing family after all.”

As mentioned by Mr Graham, Frome Town came close to liquidation in 2022 and was saved thanks to Frome Town Council paying off the debts of Frome Town Holdings Ltd in exchange for the option to acquire the site for £1, thereby securing Badgers Hill for the Frome community.

A community benefit society was set up to return the club to community and fan ownership, and initiate long-term development plans for the club and the site.