By Kevin Redsull

The ownership dispute over Deal Town has cost the club the loss of a £170,000 grant.

The money from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust was going to be used to fit out the interior of the new clubhouse at the Charles Ground but the trust has now withdrawn its offer.

It blames a failure to provide reassurances over the long-running legal wrangle for control of the club – even though that has now been resolved.

Town chairman Dave Reid said: "I have spent two and a half years trying to get this grant, which was for £170,000 and not £250,000 as incorrectly stated by others previously but the offer has now been withdrawn by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust."

The loss of such a large amount of money is clearly an untimely blow to Town with the new Safety Net Kent League season starting this weekend.

However, manager Derek Hares was determined to remain upbeat ahead of Saturday’s home game with Lordswood.

He said: "After all the problems we had at the club last season, there is a much better atmosphere down there now. A lot of people have been working hard on improving the ground and I think the club has turned a bit of a corner.

"But last season’s problems have left a legacy where my budget is concerned, so this is going to have to be a re-building season."