The Church Commissioners for England has agreed a 25-year lease extension with Rochester United for the football club’s sports ground in Strood – Matt Hume’s side face Staplehurst Monarchs in a SCEFL Division 1 play-off game tonight

Rochester United head into the promotion play-offs with a huge off-the-field boost behind them.

The Spartans are vying for promotion from the SCEFL first division and regardless of the play-off outcome there’s plenty to look forward to at the club.

Chairman, manager and now owner Matt Hume has spoken of his delight at finalising a 25-year lease at their Rede Court Road ground in Strood, meaning the club can start to look at making improvements off the pitch.

On it, Hume’s first-team side have overcome plenty of challenges this season to finish fourth in the table and they face Staplehurst Monarchs away tonight for a chance to make the play-off final.

Larkfield & New Hythe played Lewisham Borough in the other semi-final clash on Tuesday as the play-off sides look to join AFC Whyteleafe at step five next season.

Hume said: “We got promoted 12 years ago (from the Kent Invicta League, then as Bly Spartans) but didn’t have a plan.

“We were never in a position to sustain that level with budgets but now we want to progress as a club with a firm foundation so that we can go up and know we can sustain it, that is the aim.

“When you put in the time to try and get promoted you want to know it’s worthwhile doing it. You don’t want to go up with a weak infrastructure and come back down again.”

Hume has spent several years trying to tie up a long-term lease agreement on their ground with owners The Church Commissioners for England.

There are now plans for a new clubhouse, and they will also look into grant funding towards an all-weather pitch at the venue, which is also home to their 14 youth teams.

“The enthusiasm around the club is brilliant and it’s definitely on the up,” said Hume.

“There are things we can now definitely all work