CB HOUNSLOW UNITED could fold if their planning application for a new ground fails, chairman Frank James warned this week.

The Combined Counties Division One club's negotiations with Hounslow Council to up sticks from their current base in Tentelow Lane, Osterley, and build a new stadium at Green Lane near Hounslow Heath, have reached a critical stage.

A date for a pre-planning meeting to view the club' drawings of the new development is expected shortly.

James has repeatedly dug into his pockets over the last 10 years in pursuit of his dream to bring the club, which he has overseen promoted from the Middlesex County League, to the heart of Hounslow.

But he told the Chronicle it was now or never for the plans as far as he was concerned.

He said: "CB's future will be in doubt if it doesn't work because this is the last try for me.

"If it doesn't get through this time I will have had enough, and there's noone else at CB to pass the baton on to.

"With the credit crunch as it is you can't ask local businesses to help, and there's no bottomless pit of money."

The multi-ethnic club's ambitious plans involve far more than just football on a Saturday afternoon.

Projects to be run on the site include working with children excluded from school in order to keep them off the street.

James sees reasons to be optimistic about a successful outcome.

However, Feltham FC failed in a attempt to move to the same sight, and James himself was previously unsuccessful over an application for a ground at Thornbury Playing Fields.

James added: "After 10 years and having spent a lot of money we might finally be able to get there.

"We'd love it to fly through planning permission with a view to start playing there in 2010-11.

"The leisure services part of the council are happy with our plans in terms of the football, and the residents seem pleased to see something going on.

"We're 90 per cent of the way there, but the last 10 per cent of getting over the finish line is always the hardest part.

"We are still cautious because of the defunct proposal for Thornbury Playing Fields and because of Feltham's previous experience."

Meanwhile, following a whole raft of postponements, CB finally played their first game of 2009 on Saturday with a 3-2 win at Farleigh Rovers.

Gary Franklin gave them an 11th-minute lead, and although Rovers equalised on 33 minutes, Darren Putman put CB back in front less than a minute later.

Rob Marks came off the bench to extend CB's lead, which was just as well as Farleigh pulled back another goal with five minutes left.

CB host Sheerwater on Saturday, kicking off at 2pm.

* ALSO in Combined Counties One, Hanworth Villa stayed in second place with a 2-1 win over Crescent Rovers.

Steve Loveridge bagged both goals for Villa, who take a break from league action on Saturday when they travel to Bishop's Stortford to take on Essex Senior League side Takeley in the Anagram Records Trophy.

Meanwhile,Rob Curtis earned a point for Feltham with the equaliser in their 1-1 draw at Dorking.

The Blues visit Frimley Green on Saturday.