DREAMS of bringing Nationwide Conference football to Truro City took a leap forward this week when a prosperous local businessman outlined his goal to take the club forward to new heights.

Kevin Heaney, the managing director of Cornish Homes (UK) Ltd, laid out his plans at an extraordinary general meeting of the club's committee and his proposals appear to have received wide support from members.

Although no financial figures have yet been released Mr Heaney is said to want to build a solid foundation to propel the Carlsberg South Western League club through the non-league ranks to the Nationwide Conference, within the next ten years - hopefully even sooner.

The mouth-watering prospect of playing in the top tier of non-league football and even achieving the dizzy heights of league status has always been an almost unattainable target for Cornish football teams but Truro City insiders believe that with Mr Heaney's backing the Treyew Road club dream could become a reality.

Chris Webb, who is youth development manager and vice-chairman, sees no reason why Truro City could not achieve their heady ambitions.

He told the Packet that although nothing is yet concrete and Mr Heaney's proposals have yet to be ratified by the club, more detailed plans could be unveiled in three to four weeks.

Mr Webb, said: "We are looking forward with working together with Mr Heaney and his plans for the club. We are enthusiastic and hopeful that this will take Truro City forward to success. I have never met a man with so much enthusiasm for the game at a local level."

Although Mr Webb emphasised that the proposals were yet to be fully ratified by the club he was hopeful that this could be a huge development for a club which although currently second in the Carlsberg South Western League has yet to realise its full potential. Mr Webb described the club as a "sleeping giant" and if the proposals come off there is no reason why Coca-Cola League Two football could come to Truro City.

He said: "You have to look at the business situation. Truro as a city is growing bigger and bigger. If we can get to a higher standard of football then we will get the support. You only have to look at Penzance/Newlyn rugby team who with their success can attract crowds of 2,500. If Truro get into the Doc Marten League or even higher I can't see why people from all over Cornwall, including Bodmin, Falmouth or St Blazey, would not come and support us.

"I have only known Keith for about six months but I have never known anyone so enthusiastic about what is going to happen and I know he cannot wait for it to all go ahead. If it goes ahead it would be a giant step up the ladder for Truro City Football Club."