Nationwide Conference strugglers Northwich Victoria have reluctantly agreed to vacate their world-famous Drill Field stadium.

The Vics - with debts around �400,000 - received an offer they simply could not turn down.

It means they will leave the Drill Field after accepting a �2.4m bid for the ground from Wain Homes building developers.

Northwich now have to find an alternative location to play. It is possible they will share neighbours Witton Albion's Wincham Park during the 2001/2002 season.

The Cheshire club have been playing at Drill Field since 1874, making the oldest football ground in the world, according to the Football Association.

Northwich recently sacked manager Mark Gardiner following their poor start to the season.

"It is a catastrophic situation for the club," admitted general manager Dave Thomas.

Northwich's plight has increased calls from within non-league circles for some of the millions of pounds being generated by television revenues to be filtered down to the Conference.

Conference clubs do not currently receive any cash from either the Football Association or the Football League even though it is the feeder league to Division Three.

It is also expected that from next season, two clubs will be promoted from the Conference each season, rather than the current one automatic promotion spot.