Progress has been made in Canterbury City’s long search for a new ground - but any potential return to the city is a few years away yet.

The football club have teamed up with Canterbury Rugby Club after Canterbury City Council’s draft local plan proposing 13,000 new homes and facilities, including a new sports hub which the two clubs could share.

That news comes with City having suffered relegation to Southern Counties East Division 1 last weekend.

City, who are due to ground-share with Margate from next season, have not played in Canterbury since 1999.

Chairman Trevor James said: “There has been movement on that.

“It’s now in the right place for a change, as opposed to perhaps where plans have been in the past.

“It will probably be another two or three years before it all goes through. But it’s got a chance.

“I’m feeling optimistic. The only thing is the May elections may scupper it.

“But that is more when they want to do something, rather than whether they want to.”

City may struggle to hold on to boss Danny Lawrence with Herne Bay, another of his old clubs from his playing days, and Ashford searching for new managers.

James said: “I think his heart is in Canterbury. If you broke him down in half, that would probably be half Herne Bay and half Canterbury through it.

“I think he would like to see through what he’s started. If he does do well, I’m sure people will want him at their club.

“His heart’s in it. People did raise eyebrows at the appointment back in December, but I just saw something completely different in Danny, being an ex-captain of the club.

“I’m sure, at some point, we will be shaking hands - but hopefully not yet!”

City drew 1-1 at home to champions Erith & Belvedere on Saturday but it wasn’t quite enough to ensure survival despite a superb season run-in, Amin Gorgol firing them level.

Lawrence said: “[I] can’t help but feel absolutely gutted not to have made it over the line.

“When you commit to something, and give absolutely everything and still don’t manage to achieve your goals, it hurts.

“But my players have been nothing short of exceptional.

“I often asked them to make sure they don’t have any regrets and they can all finish this season, knowing they left it all out there!

“Now is a time to reflect and quickly start our planning for getting ourselves ready to hit the ground running from day one next season and the goal has to be to gain promotion back in to this league.”

James says the club have now returned to being a CIC company, which means James and other club directors are held accountable by the fans.