MP John Glen has vowed to back the new owners of Salisbury FC as they continue to tackle the stadium dilemma head-first.

The Salisbury MP is set to meet with the consortium to discuss ways in which they can move forward.

The phoenix club still remains homeless after being denied access to the Raymond McEnhill Stadium by the trustees, as reported in last week’s Journal.

“I have been in touch with the new owners and I am very encouraged by their commitment not to repeat the mistakes of the past,” Mr Glen said.

“Salisbury fans have been the innocent victims in all of this. They deserve to have their football club back and on a sustainable footing that ensures they can continue to support it for many years.

“I hope that the determination of the new leadership team to make a fresh start will translate into an agreement and I will be meeting them this week to do whatever I can to assist.”

Fans can have their say on the prolonged stadium woes at a supporters’ forum tonight.

All members of the board, including manager Steve Claridge, will be present at the Chapel Nightclub from 7pm to update supporters on the situation.

Consortium advisor Ian Ridley, once chairman of non-league Weymouth, said: “We are grateful for the support of Mr Glen, who clearly understands that Salisbury and its football supporters deserve a club playing again at the best level possible.

“We will be looking to inform supporters at the fans’ forum on Thursday of all the options and hard work that is going on behind the scenes to try and get the club going again and we do need them to mobilise and to help.

“Sadly, one of the trustees has informed us that they do not think it is worth meeting us currently but we will continue to press for dialogue as a return to the Ray Mac remains our main hope.

“From what we can glean, it does seem as if the trustees are concerned about the sustainability of football at the stadium and we just hope we are not being tarred with the same brush as previous regimes that were unable to stop the old club from folding. We certainly believe we have the plans and the personnel to make a go of it.”

“It may well be that the trustees want to sell the site for housing or have other plans but we won’t know that until they tell us. If that is the case, they are more likely, we believe, to get the change of use they would need from planning authorities if they worked with us to achieve the best outcome for all concerned – and more quickly.”

Whites supporter Thom Belk, who will be in attendance at tonight’s meeting, said: “There’s a lot of work to be done.”

“I’d like to hold out hope that there will be football next season, but football at the Ray Mac doesn’t look likely.”

In the meantime, Ridley says the club’s looking at other alternatives and are going ahead with their application to the FA so football will be played next season.

The Journal will be blogging on the website at tomorrow night’s meeting. Stay tuned at www.salisburyjournal.co.uk/sport.