TOWN are close to owning their own training ground for the first time in the club's history.

Chief executive Andrew Watson today confirmed agreement is expected "very shortly" to buy land at Storthes Hall from the University of Huddersfield.

Plans for a £500,000 changing block are already on the drawing board with the whole complex to be shared with Super League's Huddersfield Giants.

"To have our own training ground for both clubs will be a fantastic addition," said Watson.

"We have been begging to use Storthes Hall on a year-by-year basis in recent times for Town training, but we have now more or less reached agreement to acquire the land and it's a wonderful site."

Town's Supporters Trust have pledged cash to attract grants to help meet the building costs.

"I have been to the Manchester United training ground over at Carrington and the land we are buying at Storthes Hall is better than theirs," added Watson.

"In fact, I haven't seen any better land anywhere for a training ground, so we are very optimistic about the whole project.

"While Peter Jackson, Terry Yorath and the lads are already working up there every day in what are nice, private surroundings, the facilities are not as they should be.

"When a player comes here to sign he sees a magnificent stadium and a magnificent area for a training ground, but the only cover we have up there at the moment are Portakabins, so the facilities need to be brought up to scratch.

"That's where our plan for a new pavilion for changing rooms comes into play and we are very hopeful that with the backing of the Supporters Trust, we can bring all the funding together.

"The Trust believe it's an excellent way to use their funds and, once we've acquired the land properly, then we'll be able to press on.

"It will be a fantastic training ground because it's a beautiful area, and it will be among the top facilities of its kind around."

Town did, for many years, use Leeds Road Playing Fields as a base for training, while their Beck Lane ground at Heckmondwike has staged occasional sessions but - being more outlying - has been more a site for junior matches.