Canterbury City FC in Kent has been without a home since as far back as 1999 and is forced to play its home games in Margate, nearly 30km away.
Club chairman Trevor James says:
“I didn’t get the Christmas present that I wanted… a shiny new football arena based in Canterbury.”
He asks:
“Is anything as disappointing as the various setbacks in trying to get the club back to Canterbury and into our own home?”
The city is better known for its world-famous cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But the local football club’s ground saga dates back to 1999 when the club was required, mid-season, to leave its old ground, known as Kingsmead Stadium.
Unsurprisingly, the homeless club finished bottom in successive seasons, and inevitably, days before the start of the 2001/02 season, Canterbury City folded.
In 2007, the club was revived, and progress on the field was achieved with promotion to the Kent League after four seasons, eventually reaching the Southern Counties East Football League.
However, securing a new home has proven far more challenging.
In recent years, the club’s hopes have been repeatedly dashed by refused planning applications for a new stadium in and around Canterbury.
More disappointment was heaped on the club due to changes in the political climate, with recent announcements that plans to develop 10,000 homes in the district (linked to plans for a new stadium) have been delayed again amid a government shake-up of housebuilding rules.
The good news, however, is that the Canterbury City Council 2040 Draft Plan still includes provisions for a new stadium. The club chairman says they continue to hold out hope for a solution to the long-running issue.
He said:
“We have not been sitting on our hands. Thinking that it could be some years before a spade was put in the ground to build a stadium, we have tried a different approach to get the club back to Canterbury.”
Talks began in November 2023 with the University of Kent, but after six months of discussions, the club was informed that the land in question would be earmarked for housing development.
“More disappointment,” says Trevor, adding, “The Kings School were more positive, but alas, the conclusion was the same.”
On another front, Trevor explained:
“We identified two sites in Canterbury, owned by Kent County Council and Canterbury City Council, but it has taken over 10 weeks just for a response to our proposed Heads of Terms for our preferred Kingsmead site.”
With little progress, he reflects, “Life can be very disappointing.”
Trevor added, “On the basis that we cannot continue financially ground-sharing forever, our revised strategy is to try developing something basic of our own, with or without partnerships.”
He elaborates:
“A few educational places around Canterbury have quite good sporting facilities, but they’re not up to SCEFL standard. This has led to lengthy and sometimes protracted conversations with the University, schools, Kent County Council, and Canterbury City Council (who have been quite supportive) to explore what we could possibly develop in partnership.
“All I can say is that it’s been tough – and ongoing.”
He concludes, “Sometimes our search for a new Canterbury ground feels illusory, like the search for the Holy Grail, but we are still trying to bring the City back home.”
The club may be playing its home matches in Margate for a second successive season, but on the pitch, things are looking brighter, with the team currently well-placed in the SCEF Division One.
—
Dear reader,
Opinions expressed in the op-ed section are solely those of the individual author and do not represent the official stance of our newspaper. We believe in providing a platform for a wide range of voices and perspectives, even those that may challenge or differ from our own. We remain committed to providing our readers with high-quality, fair, and balanced journalism. Thank you for your continued support.
—
Eurotoday is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. Eurotoday publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, Eurotoday covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and examines the international agenda through a European lens.
Leave a Reply