DEADLINE day is looming for the future of Whites’ home venue.

The club’s right to play at the Ray Mac Stadium remains in the hands of a group of trustees, who are yet to sanction another season at the pitch.

Salisbury City Football Club moved to the purpose built ground in Old Sarum in 1997, and was named after the then chairman Raymond McEnhill.

But the club ceased to exist three years ago when it folded due to financial troubles.

It was only when they were approached by a new board of directors that the doors were unlocked and football, under the guidance of manager Steve Claridge, returned to the pitch.

Chairman David Phillips says he’s confident that the trustees will grant Salisbury an extension on their lease at the Ray Mac. However, when approached by JournalSport a spokesman for the trustees said they had nothing to say at this stage.

Whites have until the end of May when the lease expires.

Talking at the fans’ forum on Thursday night, Phillips, who was accompanied by fellow director Jeremy Harwood and Claridge, said: “I had a meeting with Andy McEnhill and all I can say is that negotiations are continuing, but I’m as confident as I can be that we’ll be playing here next season. We’ll either be here or we won’t.”

If Whites are kicked out, the trustees of the stadium would need to find them a new home, which is part of the terms of the lease.

However, they would need only to provide land and not pay for a new stadium, which would likely be funded from community money set aside by developers.

Discussions have been ongoing over a potential new community stadium between Whites, Wiltshire Council and Sport England.

If that was the case, the complex would most likely include at least one 3G pitch, the first synthetic purpose-built football pitch in the city. Currently, the nearest 3G pitch is in Bulford.

But Claridge, whose side are pushing for promotion from Southern League Division One South and West, says he would prefer to stay put.

“My option would be to stay here,” he said. “It’s got everything we want and what we need. I don’t think we realise how lucky we are to play here.”