CHERRIES are investigating the possibility of entering into a commercial sale and leaseback arrangement on the Fitness First Stadium to secure the long-term future of the club.

But chairman Tony Swaisland insists no decisions will be made on selling the ground until Cherries' supporters have been fully consulted.

In a move which could see their creditors paid off and outstanding work on the ground completed, Cherries are in preliminary discussions with a potential stadium buyer who would in turn lease Dean Court back to the club.

By entering into such a deal, Cherries would be following the example of several other Football League clubs with Walsall leasing the Bescot Stadium from JW Bonser Ltd Pension Fund.

Swaisland believes a commercial sale and lease-back agreement, which typically lasts for up to 25 years and includes a right to renewal, could put cash-strapped Bournemouth on a firmer financial footing.

He said: "Our primary objective is to put the club on to a sound, long-term financial basis so we can complete work on the stadium, kit out the conference and catering facilities, pay off our creditors and the bank, implement the KDSA community projects, and most importantly, build a football team of which the town can be proud.

"To achieve this we need a major injection of new money.

"The board have been exploring every option to raise these funds and I now believe our best route may be through securing a commercial sale and lease-back arrangement with a suitable partner.

"We are currently in discussions with a potential investor and I hope we may have a more concrete proposal soon.

"As soon as we have more details of a possible scheme, I will ensure these are made public so we can have a full and proper debate and every fan can have their say before any decisions are made.

"We have remarkably loyal supporters at this club and they deserve a successful team playing to the highest level our resources allow.

"The board are determined to provide this by getting the non-matchday revenues to a level that can help the playing side to thrive."

Peter Phillips, whose innovative Playershare scheme recently received the backing of Swaisland and boss Sean O'Driscoll, believes any arrangement would have to withstand intense scrutiny before Cherries entered into it.

He said: "My own view is this could be a very positive deal that will solve the short-term financial problems and has the potential to secure the club's financial future for several years.

"However, we will need to know a lot more about the proposed deal before we can judge its merits, in particular, the terms of the proposed lease, the people behind it, and the prospects of the club being able to continue to pay the rent.

"Will the proposed purchaser take a seat on the club's board?

"I think many fans would be happier to have the club's future in the hands of someone sitting on the board, attending matches and whom we can get to know and work with, as opposed to a faceless consortium of banks."