BILLERICAY Town’s second fans’ forum since Glenn Tamplin took over the club attracted as many as 200 supporters, with a new club badge and stadium improvements being discussed.

Tamplin, who is also caretaker manager until the end of the season following the resignation of Craig Edwards, allowed those in attendance to vote for the club’s new crest.

The owner felt it was important to change the badge, with the winner including the motto ‘Together we sail as one’.

The new badge will be on the club’s kit from next season and will also be used for the Billericay Town Ladies.

Tamplin also confirmed plans to expand New Lodge.

The proposals would include a club shop, a gym for all members and a banqueting suite.

Tamplin said: “I never knew that 10 years ago Billericay Town put in plans for a two-storey building - a stadium - and loads of astroturf pitches and it was granted.

“We have put plans forward to the council. We are very confident of some support from the council and that something we want can be achieved.

“We won’t get planning until August.”

Tamplin also confirmed that Billericay would not need to leave New Lodge while the stadium is being renovated.

“We can leave what we have got here now and build on the other side of the ground and work across from there,” added Tamplin.

“We won’t be moving out of here, so a new stand will probably go up from the end of next season.”

The owner was also quick to promise supporters that the new playing surface once the building work has been done will not become a 3G pitch.

Other non-league clubs, such as Sutton United and Maidstone United, use artificial pitches and are able to rent the pitch out on non-matchdays to increase income.

Tamplin confirmed: “As a businessman, I should make this 3G because I would make money out of this club.

“I would get £500,000 a year out of the pitches.

“But as a man who loves football, it has to stay as grass.”

The owner was also keen to discuss rumours that Mark Wright was set to take a 20 per cent stake in the Ryman Premier League club.

Tamplin admitted: “Mark Wright wants 20 per cent but is not willing to pay a penny.

“He has media attention that we can’t deny.

“Mark’s available but I’m not going to take him just for the media attention.

“He needs to bring something to it. If he brings a TV programme, I will let him because I could not deny the players that if that is what they want.

“But at the moment, other than the media he can’t bring anything.”