SOCCER fans could be watching matches inside Blackpool FC's super stadium within two years if plans to move to a new site are approved.

Club bosses have announced their intention to turn their backs on the current Bloomfield Road ground and create a new £100 million development at Whyndyke Farm on Preston New Road.

The site, which falls under both Blackpool and Fylde Borough Council's planning control, will provide 100 acres of land housing the 40,000-seater International Colosseum with sliding roof and 100 executive boxes, a 200-bedroom hotel, a health farm and leisure facilities.

Help in the project will come from Alfred McAlpine, whose past credits include Huddersfield's impressive new stadium, and an estimated 3,000 new jobs will be created when the whole thing is up and running. Work could then start as early as the autumn with the first matches being played in January 1998.

Blackpool chairman Owen Oyston commented: "This decision has not been taken without much soul searching, but it will allow us to overcome many of the logistical problems we are facing at the present site and facilities for our fans will be among the best in Europe."

Michael Joyce, managing director of the development, added: "The International Colosseum will be the first thing visitors will see as they approach from the M55. We will be able to start building well before we could have done at Bloomfield Road."

A detailed planning application is expected to be submitted in the next few weeks to both councils which have welcomed the move.

Blackpool leader Ivan Taylor commented: "It gives Blackpool Football Club a new home which it deserves.

"The club is on the brink of going up into the First Division and Bloomfield Road just isn't good enough."

Fylde counterpart Paul Hayhurst said: "This is the biggest development since Blackpool Tower.

"It should be praised for the number of jobs it will create, the number of facilities and the major boost it will give to the Fylde Coast tourism industry."

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