Brentford's search for a new stadium - one which could provide modern facilities for fans and corporate guests, and generate revenue for the club outside of matchdays - has been a long and, so far, unfruitful one.

One potential site that has provoked supporters' interest is the triangle of industrial premises and builders yards left between the junction of the Hounslow to Waterloo and North London line railways just north of Kew Bridge - click here for a map.

Supporters Trust Bees United were quick to see the site's key attractions - within a short distance of the club's traditional home and an unattractive 'brown-field' area previously considered unsuitable for major development. It all seemed too good to be true, but initial assessments suggested that it could accommodate a stadium of adequate size, with some potential for complementary 'enabling' development.

This land, bounded on all sides by railway lines, was owned by British Rail and subsequently by the British Railways Board (Residuary), a body set up in order to administer the disposal of railway land following privatisation, under the control of the Strategic Rail Authority. By the time Brentford FC were able to make enquiries about acquiring the site in 2000 they found that the SRA had negotiated the sale of the land to a private developer, though the deal had not been completed.

Keen not to let such an ideal site slip through their fingers, the club - in conjunction with the Supporters Trust, BIAS, and developer (and now BFC Board member) Doug White - set about selling the idea of a stadium at Lionel Road to the SRA, local and national politicians and the prospective purchasers of the site. A-Bee-C Councillor Luke Kirton was able to play an instrumental role in focussing the attention of Hounslow Council on the exciting opportunity for Brentford FC to develop an exemplary multi-use facility in the heart of their local community. Click here for an artist's impression of the proposed stadium.

These efforts are still continuing, and although the unusual delay in completing the sale of the land should give fans hope that several possibilities for the club to obtain an interest in the site exist, it is too early to be able to report definitive success. Watch this space!