Canterbury City Football Club have requested withdrawal from the Southern Counties East League, saying they have made the decision due to financial reasons.

City have ground-shared with Faversham Town at Salters Lane since 2018 and have not played in Canterbury since 1999.

They say they were told at the weekend they would need to wait a further three years for planning applications to be submitted in their bid for a ground they can play in, in Canterbury.

A statement on Sunday read: "The club this afternoon, September 19, 2021, have made the difficult decision to request withdrawal from the Southern Counties East Football League (SCEFL) due to financial reasons.

"As a club, we have worked hard over the last 14 years or so to have an independent hub in the city of Canterbury. A hub that would, not only benefit the city, (but) would provide a platform for young players to progress to a level where they have the opportunity to be paid to play football.

"Our ambition has always been to have a local club for local people.

"This weekend, we have been informed that we will need to wait three years for planning application to be submitted.

"We will not be able to sustain as a self-sufficient entity (with) the funds required over this period, therefore we are faced with the awful decision to submit this request.

"We will continue to explore our options to be able to still have a Step 5 football team within the SCEFL set up.

"(But) the reality is we will require funding to achieve this. Without this, we have no option other than offer to withdraw from the league."

City, who won 2-0 at Holmesdale on Saturday, say a further statement will be issued in the coming days.

SCEFL say they have called an emergency board meeting tonight (Monday) to discuss the issue and say they will release a statement soon after.

City lie 11th in the Premier Division table.

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