A NORTH Yorkshire rugby club is hoping to raise £15,000 to buy its ground.

Richmondshire Rugby Club aims to secure its future by purchasing a 99-year lease for its ground at Theakston Lane in Richmond from North Yorkshire County Council.

The club currently pays a yearly rental fee which means it is unable to plan for any expansion or further development.

It has now agreed the long-term lease with the county council, subject to raising the cash.

Buying the ground lease would enable the rugby club to make changes to its clubhouse and changing rooms, providing better facilities for both the team and its supporters.

Two local businessmen, who are both members of the club, are helping in its bid to raise the money and buy the land.

First team coach and former player, Mike Charlton, principal of Charltons Estate Agents and Surveyors, and Graeme Newton, managing director of Randall Orchard Construction, who has played for the club since the mid-1980s, are using their land and property experience to advise the club on the best way of purchasing the lease, as well as helping to raise the capital.

Mr Charlton said: "Obviously the future of Richmondshire Rugby Club is very close to my heart.

"In purchasing the 99-year ground lease, the club will have some future security, and, as I well know, with any investment in land, it is much more economical to make a long-term investment rather than short-term renting."

Mr Newton said: "Everyone connected to the club is working hard to raise enough cash to give this club a real future.

"There are many people, like me, who have been with Richmondshire Rugby Club for a long time and want to see the club go from strength to strength."

The club has been based at Theakston Lane for the last 13 years and now competes in the Northumberland and Durham 2 League.

Recently, while coached by Mr Charlton, the team won the double of the league championship and the North Yorkshire Cup which is the best result in its history.