The Labour Group on Dudley Council has lent their backing to Dudley Town Football Club's bid to establish a permanent home ground in the borough.

The club recently made history by securing promotion to the prestigious Midland Football League Premier Divisions after a remarkable 38-year journey.

Since its establishment in 1833, Dudley Town Football Club has faced the unfortunate absence of a permanent home ground. The original site, now known as Castlegate Park, mysteriously sank in 1985, creating a massive crater and the adjacent Dudley County Cricket Ground suffered a similar fate within matter of weeks.

Consequently, the club has had to play at various locations across the borough, including Halesowen, Gornal, Amblecote, Brierley Hill, and, for the past four years outside of the Borough, in Willenhall.

Labour's Shadow Cabinet Member for Finance and St Thomas's Ward Councillor, Shaukat Ali, has submitted a motion titled "Bring Dudley Town Football Club back home" to the council which will be discussed at the upcoming full council meeting on Monday, July 10th. The proposed motion aims to encourage the council to collaborate with the club in identifying a suitable location for their home ground.

Additionally, it calls for formal celebrations of the club's recent promotion, regular recognition of remarkable achievements by individual athletes and sports clubs in the borough, and the establishment of a cross-party working group to develop an ambitious sports strategy. This strategy would foster growth, development, and promotion of sports across all age groups within the borough. Councillor Ali said:

"Dudley Town FC is our pride and joy. Over the years, I have been a staunch supporter of the club and have consistently raised the issue in council meetings.

"I even campaigned for a new stadium on the former gas works site on Constitution Hill, which has now been transformed into a housing estate opposite the Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre.

"I have already engaged in discussions with the club's Director to congratulate them on their promotion and explore a potential site not far from the original location which I firmly believe would make an excellent home ground. I hope that every member of the council will support this motion."