TROWBRIDGE Town supporters have been given the best Christmas present they could have asked for with the news that their club could be playing Western League football next season.

The reorganisation of non-league football at the end of the season will present a unique set of circumstances that mean the usual rules on promotion will be waived.

Trowbridge's present Woodmarsh ground does not meet the Western League grading requirements but league secretary Ken Clarke said this week that as long as plans were in place for a new ground, the league would consider the possibility of letting Trowbridge Town ground share.

This contravenes the rule that states a club has to have been ground sharing for a year, before being allowed to be promoted.

After a meeting between Level Three Leagues and the FA at Soho Square, Clarke said: "There is the possibility that the FA will allow leagues to make an exception to the rule.

"I don't want to give the impression that it would be done lightly but if the club could prove everything is in place then I believe it would be considered.

"I think Trowbridge could do it if they put forward a good proposal.

He continued: "We would not entertain a club's proposals to ground share if there were no plans in place to find a new home.

"But we are in a unique situation with the amount of moving between leagues. This has never happened before and will never happen again.

"Because of the unusual situation any decision will be taken in consultation with the clubs, the FA and the Wiltshire County League."

Trowbridge are in discussions with the West Wilts District Council to build a new sports arena in Southwick and the club are hoping something can be sorted out soon.

But club treasurer Roy While admits this news could buy them the extra time they need.

He said: "It is good news if there is a possibility the league will consider the option of ground sharing.

"We do not want to stay in the Wiltshire League for another 12 months so if the only way we could be promoted is by ground sharing then we would have to seriously consider it.

"A couple of clubs have already approached us about the opportunity of sharing their ground so it is wonderful news and that is what we have been striving for.

"We are quite optimistic that within two or three years we would have something in place."

Trowbridge are currently leading the Wiltshire League Premier Division and manager Neil Kirkpatrack insists the club's first priority has to be to win the league.

He said there was no point thinking about ground sharing as their first job was to win the title.

He said: "Ideally we would like to stay in Trowbridge but if the only way we can progress is to ground share then we would be grateful for the opportunity."

Tuesday night's meeting at Soho Square also confirmed that the promotion and relegation issues would be decided with a pool system.

All the clubs in this position will be put into a pool and allocated to a league at an end-of-season meeting which would mean the traditional league boundaries might not apply.