A football club with a 100 year history is celebrating after being saved from closure.

Molesey Football Club were in a dire financial situation, desperate for planning permission to be passed at the ground so it could clear its historic debts.

The club were adamant that without permission to put 20 homes on unused ground at the Walton Road site, the Moles would have no choice but to close.

A Save the Moles campaign generated huge support locally, and at an area planning committee on March 12 the hard work paid off when councillors gave them the green light to pass through to the final application stage.

Now fans and players are in a state of jubilation, thanks to a final decision to grant the plans at a full planning meeting on March 27.

The news came at the same time the club were playing Mole Valley, a match they lost 1-0 thanks to a 90th minute penalty.

Club spokesman Debbie Harry said: “The goal didn’t dampen our spirits; we were just thrilled to bits that the council approved the plans.

“I can’t tell you the relief that our wonderful club will now be saved. We are still a bit shell shocked and exhausted. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we can’t wait to get started.”

The club plans to start work on moving its pitch as soon as the season ends at the end of April.

Leader of the council, Councillor John O’Reilly, said: “My main focus with this was the provision of affordable housing for families, which is so desperately needed in Elmbridge.

“It was a fantastic opportunity, with a big investment of £1.4m in affordable housing. The fact it will preserve the future of the club is a bonus.”