A controversial decision to withhold land promised to a local football club is set to be reviewed by cabinet next month as a petition challenging the move has gathered pace.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council resolved in July not to release land at Braywick Park to Maidenhead United.

The move came despite the club having previously struck a deal in 2022 to take on the land for a reported £460,000 – with the land earmarked for its new stadium.

The Move Us Or Lose Us petition started by Maidenhead United fan Shay Bottomley, which called on the council to reverse its decision, has reached nearly 2,000 signatures online.

This is far more than the 1,000 needed to be considered for council debate. The final date to sign the petition online was November 21.

It is understood the petition’s demands will be deliberated by the cabinet at its meeting in December.

Mr Bottomley posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “I launched the #MoveUsOrLoseUs petition while on a working holiday in Canada, and I will not lie when I say it's part of the reason I returned home from a place I grew very fond of.

“It has been one of the hardest ventures of my life, but your support has made it so incredibly easier than it otherwise ever could be.”

The cabinet’s decision in July to drop the deal came following concerns it could lead to loss of open space in the town.

A counter-petition supporting the cabinet’s move has attracted more than 700 online signatures at time of writing.

However, Mr Bottomley added: “I completely understand why some disagree with the ground move, and I completely respect their viewpoints.

“I myself was initially sceptical, even changing my Twitter profile picture to the famous plaque, but I began to realise that the club is in a situation where - after decades of speculation - it is now finally time to move.”

It comes amid Maidenhead United’s plans to move away from its historic York Road ground – which is believed to be the oldest continuously-used football ground in the world.

The Braywick Park land had been intended for the non-league club’s new community stadium. The club revealed in October it is planning legal action against the council for breach of contract.