SALISBURY Football Club have returned to their Raymond McEnhill Stadium home.

The club – born from the ashes of the old Salisbury City FC – have signed a lease and will occupy the stadium with immediate effect.

A statement released on the club website said: “We would again like to thank all the people who have helped us to return to the stadium, first and foremost all the supporters who signed the petition and campaigned so vigorously on our behalf.

“In addition, led by John Glen, many figures of all political colours at Salisbury City and Wiltshire County councils have backed us and we are deeply indebted. We are also grateful for the support of the Wiltshire FA and Sport England.

“We thank too the trustees in charge of the Ray Mac for consenting to the return and for their agreement to work with us as we look for a new longer-term home for the club.

“We will now be working hard on getting the new club ready for whatever league the Football Association allocate to us for season 2015/16. Our proposal for a return to the National League System has been lodged with the FA and we expect to meet with them in the next fortnight ahead of their decision in May.

“Our plan to raise revenue now to finance the new club – with rent, rates and other costs being incurred over the summer – and recruit players will take on new impetus with our ‘Backin' Business’ campaign’.”

Salisbury - to be managed by striker-turned-TV pundit Steve Claridge - are planning an inaugural match at the Ray Mac later this month or in early May against opponents still to be finalised and have various fund-raising plans in the pipeline.

Meanwhile commercial manager Mandy Woolford (mandy@salisburyfc.co.uk) has been working hard to put together a package of sponsorship opportunities.

Season tickets prices will be announced from May once the club have been allocated a league.