Faversham Strike Force agree landmark groundshare deal with Faversham Town to play at Salters Lane from next season

FAVERSHAM STRIKE FORCE have described their groundshare deal with Faversham Town as a landmark agreement.

Both clubs have put pen to a paper on a deal that will see the club play at Salters Lane, the home of neighbouring Isthmian League South East Division side Faversham Town from the start of next season.

"Our men's first-team is returning home after a landmark groundshare agreement was reached with Faversham Town," said a club statement.

“It marks a major step forward for Strike Force who have spent almost a decade on the road in order to progress through the football pyramid,” 

“This saw them leave Faversham Rec for Sittingbourne Community College in 2014 before a move to share with Rochester United in 2020 allowed their promotion to the Southern Counties East Football League for the start of the current season.

“The two clubs had initial talks about a groundshare three years ago. They did not yield an agreement but talks were reinvigorated last autumn and have now reached a successful outcome.”

Boss Gary Axford said:  “This is massive for us and great for Faversham – we’re coming home.

“I’m hugely grateful to our friends at Faversham Town and look forward to a bright future of collaboration and success, as well as healthy local rivalry of course.

“This will significantly increase our ability to draw on the goodwill for our club in the town and get supporters through the gates. I truly believe this can be the platform we need to take the club to the next level.”

Faversham Town chairman Paul Bennett said: “The arrangement benefits both clubs and we also believe it is good news for the local community that we all serve.

“We wish Strike Force the best in their quest for promotion and hope their players, officials and supporters will enjoy their new home back in the town next season.”

Faversham Strike Force are presently sitting in the bottom six in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table with 27 points from their 25 league games, while landlords Faversham Town play a couple of levels higher and James Collins’ side are presently in thirteenth-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table with 28 points from 25 league games.

Premier Division side Canterbury City have yet announced what their plans are for next season as they vacate Salters Lane at the end of the current campaign.

Visit Faversham Strike Force’s website: www.favershamstrikeforce.co.uk