Braintree Town chairman Lee Harding on possible new stadium

Harding says moving away from their long-standing Cressing Road home to a new purpose-built community venue would give both Iron and the town a big boost - and help preserve the club's future.

The Iron supremo also feels it would help the National League South club build for a more sustainable future.

Braintree have been pushing for a move to a new stadium for a number of years - and Harding is still determined to make it happen.

Harding said: "The new stadium will allow us to plan and look to the future for the next 50 years - that's the next chapter of our evolution."

Harding said: "We continue to talk to our friends at Braintree Council.

"It's taking time but we are making progress.

"I've set my target to deliver the stadium before I die!

"We are making progress and we have a real opportunity to deliver a new Community Sports Hub for the town.

"We need to get the numbers right and work with the council on that but we're hoping it will happen.

"We have to start looking after each other.

"It will give both the club and the community a real lift and I'm determined that we will stand on our own two feet financially.

"We're not spending silly money but with the right level of support, the interest is there.

"If we cannot afford it then it won't happen; it's as simple as that.

"Cressing Road has been our home for 98 years and I think it will still be our home for the centenary.

"But after that, we will hope to have the facilities in place to safeguard the club for the future.

"The new stadium will allow us to plan and look to the future for the next 50 years - that's the next chapter of our evolution."

Meanwhile a group of Braintree supporters were working hard at Cressing Road last weekend, ensuring the venue is looking in good shape ahead of the 2020-21 season.

A group of four Iron supporters spent several hours painting, cleaning up and redecorating the dugouts.