MORE than 100 jobs could be created after a football club announced plans to move to a new ground, with its current 123-year-old home being redeveloped for a supermarket.

The Northern Echo reported on Monday how, after months of speculation and negotiations, Crook Town Football Club reached an agreement with a property developer over relocating from the Sir Tom Cowie Millfield Ground to a purpose-built stadium elsewhere in the town.

The old ground would then be demolished with a view to being replaced by a supermarket, creating more than 100 jobs.

The proposed new stadium, to be built at an as yet unspecified site, would be for community use and feature an indoor sports hall, outdoor floodlit 3G seven-a-side pitch, gym, function suite, bar and lounge.

Councillor Eddie Murphy, who represents Crook South onthe county council and is a member of Crook Town FC's committee, as well as part of a group set up to oppose the closure of Glenholme Leisure Centre, said it was welcome news.

The leisure centre, which had a swimming pool and gym, was demolished after it was closed during Durham County Council's spending cuts last year.

Coun Murphy said: "We said all along that losing the leisure centre would be a big blow to the town and left us with not much else in Crook.

"Now we finally have something positive taking place and these new leisure facilities will be a fantastic addition to the town.

"The current ground has not been fit for purpose for a long time despite the best efforts of a very hard-working group of volunteers who have patched up repairs when needed.

"A new ground will herald a new era for Crook Town FC and the community, while the whole area will benefit from a new supermarket and the jobs that will bring."

In a statement released on its website, Crook Town FC chairman Kieron Bennett said he was "extremely pleased" that a legal contract had now been drawn up with the developer, but said all plans will be subject to planning permission from the county council.

Crook Town, nicknamed The Cokemen due to their proximity to the Bankfoot coke works at Peases West, have been based at the stadium in West Road since the club was formed in 1889.