PETERSFIELD Football Club looks set to merge with Petersfield Town Juniors as the two clubs look to consolidate their future. It is no secret that negotiations have been taking place behind the scenes as the two clubs look to join forces. But talks are now at an advanced stage and senior club treasurer Dave Ayre and town juniors chairman Ian Essai are both keen to encourage a formal link. Mr Ayre said: "We are going to be amalgamated. We have always been separate and we should have got closer together years ago. But we are in talks now. "If we can all help one another there is a lot we can do." The 71-year-old, who has been volunteering for the club since 1995, said it was becoming increasingly difficult to run the Love Lane-based club, and that volunteers were desperately needed. While the senior team relies on just two volunteers, the town juniors enjoys massive support from parents and businesses in the area. It is hoped an amalgamation of the two clubs would see youngsters from town juniors gradually integrated into the senior side. And attracting grant funding would also become easier as resources would be pooled and they would be acting as a single unit. Mr Essai hoped the merger would be completed by the beginning of next season. He told The Herald: "It would provide children in the town with a career path to senior football in the town. "We want a social scene in the town such as the one enjoyed by Petersfield Rugby Club. "But the seniors do not have the support they need. The juniors can bring lots of volunteers and enthusiasm to the table. "I think it is fantastic and our next meeting to discuss the proposal is imminent."