A collaboration between supermarket giant Safeway and Wimbledon Football Club (WFC) could provide the answer in the quest to bring the Dons home.

Merton Council leader Councillor Andrew Judge clings to the belief that the clubs old Plough Lane home remains a viable option for a return to the borough.

Coun Judge maintains there are only two viable sites, the Greyhound Stadium and the former football ground, now owned by Safeway, both in Plough Lane.

Planning chief Steve Clark met Safeways property director last week to discuss whether the company was prepared to sell the site to the club and remove the waste which currently blights it.

Mr Clark said: There are only two sites to be considered at the moment, although industrial or warehouse sites could become available in the future.

Coun Judge said: I understand Safeway already has an agreement on a smaller scale with a club in Wales, so we will try to facilitate a similar partnership.

Borough residents have backed the clubs return to its spiritual home in an independent survey carried out by the Wimbledon Civic Forum. Eighty-nine per cent believe the presence of the club in the borough is important to the community.

Club chairman Charles Koppel said he was encouraged by the results.

Chairman of Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (WISA) Kris Stewart, said the message was clear. Wimbledon Football Club belongs in Merton and, if possible, in Plough Lane.