Debts split open the defence at Kickers centre

But the centre, the largest indoor football arena in the south, has been snapped up by new owners as an investment for an undisclosed sum.

Renamed Indoor Soccer Zone, the new owners forecast a strong season for the business and promise new attractions to boost trade.

Indoor Soccer Zone director Peter Eales, 47, a business consultant who has lived in Southampton for 20 years, said: "The concept is sound and it has a bright future."

Kickers Indoor Sports is understood to have built up significant six-figure debts and was faced with the possibility that the landlord would repossess the centre, on Barton Park Industrial Estate.

The failure of the business comes despite government grants and sponsorship from Royal Liver Assurance.

Kickers had a high-profile opening in October 2000 after bosses spent £500,000 turning the warehouse into a soccer centre of excellence to produce future Michael Owens and David Beckhams.

No one from Kickers could be contacted by the Daily Echo.

Mr Eales said: "We heard that the business was in trouble and we contacted the administrator.

"We didn't buy the business we bought the assets. We have taken over the lease of the building.

"We will be doing a major relaunch of the business and there will be a major new attraction."

He said it wasn't possible to reveal details of the new attraction because negotiations were still under way but all should be clear by the time the centre is relaunched on October 15 and 16.

Nigel Pragnell, recovery manager at the Southampton offices of business advisers Grant Thornton, said: "We have been instructed by the directors of Kickers to assist them in the convening of a meeting of creditors at which the company will be placed into liquidation. The core business has been sold and continues unaffected.

"The decision has been made that Kickers will be placed into liquidation."

A creditors' meeting takes place on Wednesday, September 8.