Stockport Council is set to become landlord to the town's football club by purchasing its stadium.
The local authority said it was making the move to 'provide the stability for the team to remain in Stockport and for the club to progress in securing their own longer term future and footballing success'.
Stockport County FC has hit upon hard times in recent years after dropping out of the Football League and now finds itself in the sixth tier, the National League North.
Its Edgeley Park stadium was under threat of demolition and redevelopment before the local authority stepped in.
However, the council insisted would not be providing any financial support to Stockport County. It said the decision involved buying 'a land asset on a cost neutral basis and will therefore not cost council tax payers a penny'.
In a statement it said: 'All political groups on Stockport Council have come together to support this proposal so that the club can stay in Stockport, close to the vibrant local communities of which it is part and to contribute to raising the profile of our thriving borough.
'Councillors in Stockport will monitor the proposals as they develop and reserve the right not to proceed with the purchase if the deal ceases to represent the best interests of council tax payers and of our town.'
