I will continue to press both parties to reach a position that allows VCD Athletic to kick off next season at the Oakwood ground, says local MP Daniel Francis

A local MP is pulling out all the stops to ensure crisis club VCD Athletic can remain at their historic Oakwood ground in Crayford – but insists there remains very little time available to find a solution.

The relegated Isthmian League South East Division club issued a statement last Thursday to confirm that this would be their last ever season.

Football club chairman Gary Rump said the club’s lease at their ground at Old Road will not be renewed and that he will cease operations on 17 May.

VCD Athletic – second-from-bottom in the Isthmian League South East Division suffered a 4-1 defeat to Eastbourne Town at the weekend, which was billed as the club’s last ever home game, which was watched by a crowd of 210.

“Earlier today, I joined representatives of VCD Athletic and Oakwood Pavilion Limited to discuss options to allow the club to play at the Oakwood ground next season,” said Labour MP Daniel Francis, the MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford.

“I am grateful to both parties for accepting my invitation to attend the meeting for setting out their respective positions.

“I accept there remains very little time available to find a solution that will allow the club to demonstrate to the football authorities, that they have security of tenure for next season.

“I understand that both parties will continue discussions in the coming days.

“Whilst I accept there remains a lot of work to be done to reach an agreed position, I will continue to press both parties to reach a position that allows VCD Athletic to kick off the 2026-27 season at the Oakwood Ground.”

According to Companies House, Oakwood Pavillon Limited’s nature of business consists of “construction of domestic buildings,” and its sole director is Indian born, London based Mrs Rajvir Kaur.

The last published accounts, dated July 2024, has tangible assets listed at £1,261,395 and has a total number of no employees, down from one the previous year.

If the Vickers' do not take up their place in next season’s ninth-tier Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, then the club that finishes second-from-bottom this season may get a relegation reprieve from The Football Association.

Stansfeld (21 points) go into their final game of the season on Saturday, one point clear of basement side Hythe Town, who have a game in hand.