The club is without its own ground and land at Faifley Knowes is being eyed up as a suitable spot for a new stadium.

West Dunbartonshire Council has pledged £500,000 — and Clydebank FC directors are confident of securing match funding to help make their dream a reality.

Provost Douglas McAllister said he hopes the community can get behind the plans and “bring back the spirit of The Bankies” to the town and council leader Martin Rooney is also keen to create a new home for Clydebank FC.

A meeting was held in Faifley’s Skypoint Centre last Monday where club treasurer Bob Abraham and architect James Loch outlined their Faifley Knowes proposals to local residents.

They told how the club and council are working jointly to create a community facility that could also benefit local sports groups and organisations.

Residents who stay closest to the site are strongly opposed to the move, expressing fears about parking, noise and anti-social behaviour. However, the club and council insist they want Clydebank residents on their side — and want to develop plans in partnership with them that will benefit the whole community.

Provost McAllister said: “We are in talks with Clydebank Football Club and I’m very excited about the prospect of a new stadium, but of course we have got to bring the community with us.” “The people of Clydebank, and Faifley in particular, have got to agree to the plan. Hopefully it can become a real community asset, not just for Clydebank Football Club – but for the people of Clydebank.” “A town like Clydebank needs its own football team to have its own stadium.” West Dunbartonshire Council and Clydebank FC have a tough task getting local residents on side, who insist that Faifley Knowes is the wrong location for a football stadium.

Clydebank FC chairman Bill Abraham says the club wants to work with local residents to resolve any issues. He added: “Our club is run by a community trust and so we want to be good neighbours and get on with the locals.

“I’m hopeful a compromise will win the day and we can build a smashing facility that will benefit the whole community.” Ronnie McKee, who stays less than 200 metres from the football pitches, told the Post that residents are forming a committee to fight the development plans.

He said: “The problem isn’t with Clydebank FC. I’m in agreement that a stadium in Clydebank for the club is a great idea—but not 50 metres from people’s houses.

“It is not acceptable in an area that has had a history of anti-social behaviour. “At our meeting with Bill Abraham and the club’s architect James Loch we were shown preliminary drawings. They were fantastic and I wish the club well, but this site on the edge of housing scheme just isn’t suitable.

“It should be built right in the centre of Clydebank, not behind people’s houses.”