ASHFORD TOWN Football Club’s future is assured again. A dispute with landlords Ashford Holdings has been settled.

The rent dispute, that saw the bailiffs brought in to take possession of Homelands Stadium, has been sorted out with lease holder Tim Thorogood continuing in charge at the club.

It means that pre-season training is back under way and the club will be able to fulfil its fixtures in the Ryman League Division 1.

During the dispute Ashford Borough FC, formerly Bliby, made enquiries about taking on the lease for the ground, but they withdrew their interest when it became plain that Mr Thorogood still held the legal lease and was determined to continue in control at Homelands.

In a statement Town chief executive Mark Jenner said: "The club wishes to make it clear that at no time has it held discussions with any third party regarding either the football activities or the running of the function facilities at the Homelands, which are owned and operated by Ashford Town Football Club Limited.

'Valuable time has been lost in preparing the pitch for the start of season but given sufficient support this will be ready for the pre-season fixtures starting at the end of July.

'I would like to personally thank those people who have stood by the club during the last two difficult weeks, which have not been the easiest of times.’

'We all have to realise that the pressure on development land in our area will always leave us in a vulnerable position in Ashford for future generations."