THE city council is considering providing cash subsidies of up to £20,000 a month to the company running the proposed football centre at South Canterbury Road, the Gazette can reveal.

Pulse Soccer will receive taxpayers’ money over 30 years as a way of guaranteeing its return on a £3.5 million investment if the centre goes ahead.

The proposed centre includes a ground for Canterbury City FC, another full-size pitch, eight five-a-side pitches, an artificial pitch, two junior pitches plus a bar and gymnasium.

David Ford, the council’s assistant head of culture and communications, is the driving force behind the scheme.

In an exclusive interview with the Gazette this week, he insisted the financial risk to the council would be “minimal".

A report is due to go before the city council’s executive on November 20 and then on to the planning process.

The council is hoping the centre will be ready for the 2010/11 season.

See this week's Gazette for full interview and report.