Braddan AFC has called on the Isle of Man Government to bring a decade of uncertainty over the future of its Victoria Road home to an end.

The Swans have warned that continued delays are preventing the football club from investing in its facilities and planning for the future.

The club, which was established more than 100 years ago and has been based at Victoria Road for over three decades, has been in discussions with the government for around 10 years over a new lease for the site.

Its lease expired at the end of August, but an agreement over a long-term replacement has still not been reached.

The government has proposed a 10-year lease which includes a break clause, allowing it to end the agreement with two years' notice.

But the club says those terms do not provide the security it needs to make a major investment in the site.

Braddan has already raised significant funds and hopes to replace its existing clubhouse with a new two-storey facility, including improved changing rooms, social facilities and additional revenue-generating space.

But the club says a lease of at least 20 years is required to access potential grant funding towards the development.

Craig MacLaren, Braddan AFC chairman, said: 'We've tried to resolve this patiently and constructively for around 10 years, but we've reached the point where the uncertainty is stopping the club from moving forward.

'With decades of planning and fundraising, we have ambitions to significantly improve the facilities at Victoria Road, not just for today's players but for the generations that will follow us.

'But we can't responsibly invest that money, or access the grants we need, without sufficient security over the land.

'We're not asking for anything unreasonable. We need a lease that gives us the confidence to invest for the long term, or appropriate guarantees that the club would not lose that investment if the government chose to exercise a break clause.'

The Swans currently operates two senior sides, competes in the top division of Manx football - the Canada Life Premier League - and has also expanded its junior provision, including an under-14 team.

Victoria Road has additionally been used to host matches involving junior teams visiting the island.

The ground also becomes a campsite during the TT period, providing an important source of revenue which allows Braddan to reinvest in the club and maintain the playing surface.

Longer term, the club believes an improved clubhouse could create further opportunities for community use and provide additional income to support football at Victoria Road.

MacLaren added: 'This is about being able to plan for the future of a football club that has been part of the Isle of Man community for more than a century.

'We understand that these agreements have to work for everyone, but after 10 years we need some certainty. Our current lease has expired, and we're effectively no closer to having the long-term security required to move forward.

'The club's members unanimously agreed at our recent AGM that we could no longer simply allow the situation to drift.

'We're now asking the government to work with us urgently and find a solution that allows Braddan AFC to continue investing in football, its facilities and the local community.'

The club is calling for a minimum 20-year lease at Victoria Road, or alternative terms which provide adequate protection for any investment made by the club should the government subsequently exercise its right to end the lease.

Braddan says it remains willing to work constructively with government to reach an agreement.