Russians bid to open summer zoo!

Stafford Rangers have revealed they are in talks with a Russian businessman to open the town's first Animal Park.

Negotiations have been taking place since March with Uav Binad's UK based firm Justalaf Limited to turn the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club's Marston Road into a zoo and major local attraction between May and August. Further meetings were taking place today [Easter Monday] ahead of the club's Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division clash with Ashton United.

Rangers say Chairman Rod Woodward and Commercial manager Stuart Maun expect the deal to go ahead after immediately seeing the potential to generate thousands of pound in extra revenue during the close season. Justalaf have already launched similiar projects at a number of Russian clubs and will be providing all caging, fencing and security staff for the venture which will see animals grazing on the pitch.

Season ticket holders and their families will be admitted to the park for free and the club is now seeking permission from the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League not to play any home games until September. Maun says talks are also ongoing with local farms and nearby Twycross Zoo to discuss the day-to-day necessities and other implications of the new partnership.

Maun confirmed: "The club hopes to be able to move things on quickly in time for the arrival of the first set of animals on May 1. There are plans for some 'old favourites' to be in the park – rabbits, goats and lambs – but they are also looking at bringing birds of prey, flamingos and even meerkats!

"Similar ventures have already been tried and tested in Russia and have worked very well. We hope our fans will be as excited as we are and will see the value in giving up our home games in August. Although the animals will eat some of the grass on the pitch, they will also be provided with hay and normal food troughs.

"The organisers of the park have said that with the animal faeces created should help the turf grow and remain as normal so as to not affect the pitch. Hopefully it will look like Wembley again come the new season."

Justalaf Ltd's Binad said: "We have been happy to work with Stafford Rangers in the early stages of this exciting project and look forward to working with the team at Marston Road over the next few months."

More details on the project are expected to be announced on Tuesday, April 2.