Council purchase Stonebridge Road - Two thousand expected for Dons visit

Thursday 17th September 2009

EBBSFLEET UNITED’S Stonebridge Road stadium has been bought by Gravesham Borough Council, writes Stephen McCartney.

The ground, which had been owned by Land Securities, was due to be auctioned next week and the club was trying to raise funds to buy it.

Gravesham council said it had stepped in to buy the freehold and would extend Ebbsfleet United's lease and charge them a peppercorn rent of £1 per year.

The Blue Square Premier club's chairman Duncan Holt, speaking to BBC Radio Kent, said he was delighted.

He added: "Obviously we will redouble our efforts to raise the money ourselves but to have this option leaves the football club in a very strong position.

"We would like to thank the council for helping us put this together under some very tight time constraints."

Gravesham council said if the club did raise enough money to buy the ground it would "reappraise the situation in the interests of the club and assist the club in achieving its objectives".

Councillor Mike Snelling said: "We have taken decisive action to resolve a huge problem which was threatening the very existence of our local football club.

"This gives the opportunity to secure the club's long-term future as well as protecting the site in community as a major sporting asset.

"I am delighted that we have been able to have done this in this financial climate. We have been able to proceed with this by using reserves at no charge to the council tax payers of the borough."

The ground will be withdrawn from the auction following the completion of the sale on Thursday.

The club won the FA Trophy in 2008, expect their largest crowd of the season, when AFC Wimbledon visit Stonebridge Road on Saturday - a game being covered LIVE by www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

The Fleet tasted success on home soil yet this season and as a result of picking up only 7 points so far this season, Liam Daish’s men are fifth-from-bottom in the Blue Square Premier.

Daish will be concerned that his young guns haven’t scored in their last three games against Oxford United (0-2), Rushden & Diamonds (0-0) and Forest Green Rovers (0-0) - their last goal coming in the final minute in their 2-1 win at Eastbourne Borough - 270 minutes ago.

A couple of former Fleet stars, locally based striker Luke Moore is expected to start, whilst Derek Duncan is doubtful through injury.

“Liam Daish has had to rebuild a young team after last year’s very successful side was dismantled owing to financial restrictions,” AFC Wimbledon boss Terry Brown told www.afcwimbledon.co.uk

“As a club we have benefited to the tune of Luke Moore and Derek Duncan; Luke will definitely be a starter on Saturday whilst Derek is carrying a knock and is doubtful at the moment.”

Brown added: “The current Ebbsfleet side still contains several very good players and, like most games we will play this year, we will need to be at our best to come away with the points.”

A crowd of over 2,000 is expected at this game.

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk

Quotes courtesy of BBC Radio Kent’s website: www.bbc.co.uk/kent/sport

Quotes courtesy of AFC Wimbledon’s website: www.afcwimbledon.co.uk

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be providing LIVE COVERAGE of this game

Ebbsfleet United v AFC Wimbledon

Blue Square Premier

Saturday 19th September 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, Kent DA11 9BA