Canterbury City FC lose stadium-share bid at Whitstable Town and launch urgent ground search amid SCEFL relegation risk

Canterbury City FC are once again facing an arduous search for a new ground after plans to move back within the district and to a new stadium dramatically fell through at the eleventh hour.

Despite the team sitting within reach of a play-off position in Division One of the Southern Counties East Football League, club bosses say finding themselves unexpectedly homeless will almost certainly mean relegation in a matter of weeks.

A statement issued this afternoon says: “It is with deep regret that we must inform our supporters, players, and the wider football community that, as it stands, we do not have a ground secured for next season.”

It adds: “We are devastated by this situation, but we want to assure our supporters that we are doing everything possible to find a way forward.”

The club last had a ground in the city centre in the late 1990s, but was asked to depart Kingsmead Stadium when the council wanted the land for redevelopment, which forced the club to fold before reforming in 2007.

In a saga that has lasted more than 20 years, Canterbury City have since embarked on numerous ground-share arrangements with other east Kent clubs including in Sittingbourne, Ashford and Deal and most recently with ‘friends’ at Hartsdown Park in Margate where they have played the last two seasons.

But amid dwindling support and a struggle for sponsorship - as a result of playing more than 15 miles away - the board felt a return to Canterbury more necessary than ever.

Confident of finalising a ground-share arrangement for next season at Whitstable Town, who lease their Belmont Road stadium from Canterbury City Council, the club began preparing to play their final games at Margate.

However, weeks before the deal was cemented - and while