THAME United fear they will not be able to start the new season on August 13 after their ground was repossessed.

Club staff arrived for work on Friday and found landlords Coleman Properties had changed the locks.

The Bedfordshire-based developers had obtained an order enabling them to take possession of Windmill Stadium as the club were in breach of a clause in its lease following a visit from the bailiffs acting on behalf of HM Customs and Excise earlier this summer. Under the terms of the lease, it was agreed that if distraint proceedings properties being seized because of unpaid debts were taken against the football club at any time, Coleman Properties could repossess the ground.

And that's what they have done leaving United, and the various local organisations which use the clubhouse, homeless and facing an uncertain future.

Coleman Properties activated the distraint clause in their contract after bailiffs descended on Thame earlier this summer over an unpaid five-figure tax bill and the club's failure to properly submit their tax returns.

Sara Palmer, a solicitor acting on behalf of Coleman Properties, said client confidentiality prevented her from commenting on the case.

United sold the ground to Coleman Properties five years ago for £2.5 million in a deal which saw Thame receive £500,000 then with the rest to come and the promise of a new ground, when Coleman get planning permission for building houses on the Windmill Stadium site.

The football club was forced to postpone Saturday's friendly at home to Croydon Athletic and there are now very real doubts whether the club will be able to kick off the Southern League season away to Cinderford Town a week on Saturday.

Manager Tony Joyce has been away on holiday but assistant manager Brett Chowns has told the players to start looking for other clubs.

Secretary Fred Saulsbury said: "I hope we will be able to play next week but realistically it is going to be very difficult."

United held an emergency meeting last night and they are due to meet with Aylesbury United tonight as they hunt a solution.

Aylesbury are one of three clubs, along with Swindon Supermarine and Berkhamstead, who have rallied round and offered Thame a groundshare deal.

But with no money coming in from their bar and other off-field activities, United fear they won't be able to afford to step into a groundshare deal.