The long term future of AFC Telford United at the New Bucks Head was assured today after the club successfully negotiated a 150-year lease with the borough council.

The new, extended lease will see the club shell out just a peppercorn rent for the ground to its Telford & Wrekin Council owners into the next century.

United chairman Lee Carter said the deal was “fantastic” news and the biggest shot in the arm for the club since it was resurrected in 2004.

The new agreement will also safeguard the future of a number of borough-wide football based community initiatives and help the club aid development of its business and community ambitions at the Buck’s Head.

Council leader Councillor Andrew Eade said the club was already considered a hub for a string of initiatives supporting the authority’s targets for education, safer communities and healthy lifestyles.

He added: “I am delighted that we have been able to come to an arrangement that safeguards the future of the football club for decades to come.”

Mr Carter added: “This development will give the club a long-term secure base from which we can grow the Telford Football Hub.

“People should be in no doubt about our determination to sustain national level football in Telford, our ambition to deliver sporting opportunities for the community and our commitment to a long term strategic partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council.

“This is the first step along what we believe will be a very exciting road and gives us a base which will enable us to announce a number of other follow on developments in the next few months.”