Ashby Ivanhoe FC have announced a major new plan to re-structure itself as a community football club - with a view to buying their Lower Packington Road ground.

From June 1, they will become the newly-formed Ashby Ivanhoe Football Club CIC - which stands for Community Interest Company - and hope their base will become a 'community hub' for the town in line with the club's ethos.

The Board of Directors will comprise of Neil Johnson, Jon Emmerson and Stuart Bonser.

And Mr Johnson, commented: "Having been involved in the Club for over 30 years, I am both delighted and excited about the new direction the club is taking and welcome the re-constitution into an open, transparent and progressive community football club."

A statement issued on Saturday says that the new-look Ashby Ivanhoe will have two main objectives when the new season starts later this year.

Their plans include:

•The purchase of the ground on Lower Packington Road to secure the club's future in the town

•The development of the ground to improve the facilities available and make it a real 'Community Hub' for the town.

The club's statement also recognises the current battle against Coronavurus and says: "On behalf of Ashby Ivanhoe FC, we hope that during these unprecedented times, that our coaches, parents, players, families, volunteers and the wider community are keeping safe and well and may we pass on our sincere thanks to all of the people in our Community that are working hard in the NHS and services to support the vulnerable.

"Further to meetings and advice from industry experts and legal representatives, the Management Team of Ashby Ivanhoe Football Club are delighted to announce that they are now preparing to re-constitute the club from its existing status into a newly formed CIC (Community Interest Company) called Ashby Ivanhoe Football Club CIC Ltd. The CIC will be officially launched on 1st June 2020 which is the end of the current constitutions' financial year.

"Ashby Ivanhoe Football Club has been in existence in the Town since 1948 and has significantly progressed over the last 10 years and now boasts a vibrant football club with 17 teams ranging from Under 7's to Seniors.

"The club's ethos has been to provide players with a fun learning environment where they can progress from Junior to Youth team football all at one club and this will continue to develop in the coming years as we look to increase participation.

"The Management Team have prepared a comprehensive Business Plan and this will be adopted by an experienced Board of Directors, who will push forward with the club's ambitions to both purchase the ground at Lower Packington Road and develop its facilities for the current users of the football club and the wider community.

"The Board of Directors will empower a Management Team to deliver the Business Plan.

"The Club remains passionate about its 'One Club ethos' and the senior and junior sections will both be empowered to have their individual areas of responsibility and continue to work towards the common goal of the club, further details to follow.

"The club welcomes existing and new volunteers to be part of this exciting phase in the clubs history and will be advertising vacant Management Team/volunteer roles to the wider community which will allow everyone to have a say a say in the future of the Club and really help make a difference.

"These positions will be advertised from Monday 6th April.

"Membership packages are being prepared and these will be open for applications from April 20th. Memberships will start on 1st June to reflect the start date of the CIC.

"This is an all-inclusive plan that invites community to have their say in the future of the club and help achieve its ambitions.

"Regular updates will be forthcoming and most importantly, everyone stay safe.

"Here's to a great future for everyone involved and to be involved with Ashby Ivanhoe FC."