Plans for a new football stadium in Welshpool have been shelved. Technogroup Welshpool’s future in the Welsh Premier League is now in doubt.

The club has been unable to raise £1.5 million funding for the stadium. 

It is feared a lack of top class football, including the possibilities of European ties, could lead to a fall in tourism numbers.

A 1,000-seater minimum capacity stadium is needed to qualify for a place in the Welsh Premier’s proposed Super 10 league in 2011.

The club had drawn up plans to leave its Maesydre ground for the nearby Waterloo Rovers pitch, which would have been upgraded to Uefa standards.

But Welshpool has been unable to meet the council’s deadline for signing the lease, blaming a lack of funding for the scheme.

Graham Breeze, general manager, said: “This is a huge project and up until now we have been unable to identify sources of grant revenue which would make it possible for us to move forward.

“Add to that the effects of the current financial climate and it would seem irresponsible for the board to press ahead and commit the club and the town to such levels of expenditure.”

Robert Robinson, Welshpool Town Council clerk, said: “We as a town council did everything we could to secure funding but the funding just doesn’t seem to be around.”

Mr Breeze added: “That is not to say that the project is dead in the water, it is merely on hold.

“The club appeals to anyone who can help secure our long-term future at the highest level of Welsh football to come forward. There is always room at board level for new ideas and vision.

“The club will do everything possible to stay in the Welsh Premier League.”