THERE'S fresh hope for a Fareham football club whose plans to build a £1m dream training centre were being threatened by a gaggle of rare geese.

AFC Portchester were disappointed when planning chiefs warned they might not be able to build on the town's Wicor Recreation ground because of a flock of migrating Brent geese.

However, after taking a gander at the site, they've discovered the protected birds, that come from Siberia, might not pose that much of a problem.

English Nature conservation officer Andy Gordon told the Daily Echo the development could be stopped if it had "an adverse effect on the integrity of the birds".

However, club secretary, Paul Kelly, said: "We carried out our own survey on the site and there doesn't really seem to be a problem. There aren't really any geese there - they all seem to go down to Fareham Creek instead."

He added: "We've got our fingers crossed and are having a meeting with the council next week before we formally submit the plans."

Last year the 500-strong club, which has 26 mixed age teams, was thrilled to receive the first ever FA Community Club Award and plans for the training centre complete with gym, boardroom, bar and changing rooms, kicked off.

The FA pledged 65 per cent of the £1m needed to build the complex at Wicor Rec if the club finds the rest.

Since then club chiefs have sparked a fundraising frenzy to make the dream come alive. The geese threw a spanner in the works but now it looks as if the plans are back on track. Paul said all they are waiting for now is a survey by English Nature.

"They've got to carry out their own survey. But the council is being really supportive about it all. We may still submit the seniors pitch first and everything else after that. It's looking good at the moment though."

The club is holding a fundraising quiz night and football memorabilia raffle at Portchester Community Centre in Westlands Grove on Friday from 7.30pm.

For more information call Paul on 07802 6605507.