VT FC have confirmed they WILL be applying for promotion from the Sydenhams Wessex to the Southern League next season.

For two years now there has been talk of the Sholing-based club building a new stadium to rival that of Conference South outfit Eastleigh.

And, according to manager Dave Diaper, plans for a £1 million development at Portsmouth Road are still very much alive and kicking.

He confirmed: "We've been given the green light for a new ground by The VT Group (former Vosper Thornycroft shipbuilders).

"It will be a jointly-funded operation with partial backing from VT and grants from the Football Foundation and so on.

"We're at the planning stage now and once that's been finalised we will be going for planning permission.

"We've already started working with local schools and colleges in the area as part of the project."

Although progress on the new ground has not been as quick as initially anticipated, Diaper explained: "It's taking time for a reason. We want to make sure we get it right first time.

"If we have to wait a bit longer, then so be it. It's no good rushing these things and we don't want to waste time by having to reapply for planning permission."

Assuming they do get the nod from the planners, Diaper is confident the new ground will not be long taking shape.

"We're looking at a ground similar to Eastleigh's and incorporating a clubhouse facilitiy," he said. "Eastleigh put theirs up in a short space of time and I'd imagine you're talking about 24 weeks to get ours up and finished."

Even if VT's plans hit a further delay, Diaper says the club will be applying for promotion.

If needs be, they will follow AFC Totton's example by upgrading their existing home to basic Southern League standard to tide them over while the new ground takes shape.

"VT want promotion and if we need to upgrade the existing ground then we will do that," Diaper confirmed.

"No one is more ambitious than I am and you've got to keep driving it and driving it until you get there."

Ambition is one of the main reasons VT have attracted players of the calibre of ex-Saints Kevin Gibbens and Ryan Ashford, Lee Bright and Tyronne Bowers to Portsmouth Road.

With quality additions like Dean Blake, Jamie Musselwhite and Liam Green climbing aboard this summer, they have assembled one of the strongest squads in the Sydenhams Premier Division and will be looking to improve on third place last season and to have a run in the FA Vase.