Campaigners are set to urge councillors not to drop a deal to give Braywick Park land to Maidenhead United.

A petition launched by fan Shay Bottomley, 24, called on Windsor and Maidenhead council to review its decision in July not to release the land earmarked for the club’s new stadium.

The club had previously reached a deal to acquire the land at Braywick Park for a reported £460,000 amid plans to move from its historic York Road ground.

Mr Bottomley’s petition has far exceeded the 1,000 required to be considered for council debate, with more than 1,600 supporting the online petition according to RBWM’s website at time of writing.

However, the total number is expected to be higher when paper signatures are added.

Mr Bottomley said: “We’re hoping we can make them realise the bigger picture they might not have realised when they made the decision earlier this year.”

Cabinet decided to stop the release of land at its July meeting following concerns about the potential loss of public open space – and a counter-petition backing this move has drawn more than 600 signatures.

While noting the concerns around green space are “understandable”, Mr Bottomley pointed out the park’s existing status as a sports hub.

Maidenhead United’s York Road ground is believed to be the oldest continuously used football ground in the world.

However, the proposed move to Braywick Park forms part of the club’s plans to upgrade its sports facilities.

Fan Craig McDowell has been going to York Road for around 30 years, but nevertheless supports the shift to Braywick Park.

He said: “A football club is not the ground. It’s not a museum, it’s a living, breathing thing. It’s the people involved that make the football club.

“We are clear in our minds as to what the benefits of the move are.”

The club revealed last month it was planning legal action against the council for breach of contract following the cabinet’s July decision.

Mr Bottomley added: “The ground is a huge part of our heritage. But in recent years it’s just become clear that we can’t really do anything else at York Road to make it more suitable for today’s attendance.

“It’ll be a sad day when we do leave York Road, but we are all conscious that we need to think of the club’s future.”

The petition remains open to sign on the council’s e-petition portal until November 21.