Deal Town chairman Dave Chmura secures new 99-year-lease: All the while that we didn’t have a long-term lease the clubs very existence remained on a knife edge

DEAL TOWN are celebrating securing a new 99-year lease on the Charles Sports Ground.

The current 20-year lease from Dover District Council was due to expire in 2026 but the club's long-term tenure at the St Leonard’s Road ground is now guaranteed.

Chairman Dave Chmura said in a statement: “I feel immensely honoured to be chairman at this time and to have my name attached to this new 99-year lease.

“I am sure it is something that the people of Deal will be glad to learn that we have achieved following on from the building of our new clubhouse and general improvements to the ground.

“All the while that we didn’t have a long-term lease the club’s very existence remained on a knife edge. But this new lease should help us with future grant applications, including getting a 3G all-weather pitch, as we seek to become more and more a venue which is used seven days a week by the local community.”

Mr Chmura, who took over as club chairman 18 months ago, added: “I would like to thank Robert Easton-Reid from Dover District Council, our local Kent County Councillor Derek Murphy and Mike Griffiths from our solicitors for their help in guiding us through what has been a long process.

“I must also make a special mention of Marian Scally, our business and development director, who headed what has been a team effort.”

Cllr Murphy, who represents the Deal, Walmer and Sholden division on Kent County Council, said: "I believe Deal Town FC is a tremendous community asset and securing this new lease from Dover District Council reflects the hard work that everyone has put in to ensure the future of the club going forward.

"It is important in an aspiring area such as ours that organisations which represent the town are given every opportunity to grow. This is particularly important for young people who, in Deal Town FC, have a safe and friendly environment where they can come to enjoy and develop their footballing talents.”

The Hoops’ begin their new season in the Southern Counties East League Premier Division with an away game at AFC Croydon on Saturday 4 August before taking on Hollands & Blair at the Charles Sports Ground three days later, and Dave Chmura said: “I would love to see more people attending our matches. Last season we averaged 115 at every home game but I feel our young team, plus our hard-working committee and loyal volunteers deserve more support than that, especially as we have now secured our long-term future at the Charles Ground.”

Deal Town have confirmed that tomorrow’s home pre-season friendly against Lydd Town is free entry, kick-off is at 15:00.

Visit Deal Town’s website:  https://dealtownfc.co.uk