Marke Wood Park will become a centre point for grass roots football once again after a two-year lease has been awarded to Cinque Ports FC for use of its pavilion.

Club managers Steve Bowers and Bob Chivington have waited since September for the decision to be agreed by Dover District Council’s cabinet.

It had been postponed while staff sought legal advice to ensure the club’s proposal was within the aims of the Frederick Franklin charity, which gave the land for recreational activities.

Mr Bowers said having a permanent ground for the club will be helpful to them, enabling the club to comply with league rules.

They have been using the pitch since September with the club’s Sunday team currently sitting top of the league in the Dover & District Premier Diversion, in line for a promotion.

Now the lease for the adjacent pavilion is secured, members will be able to make use of the newly refurbished facilities which includes a kitchen and showers.

Cinque Ports FC, which carried out the improvements, has also pledged new flooring and furniture.

"It turns the page for us and marks a new chapter in giving us more stability..."

Mr Bowers said: “We are absolutely delighted to be bringing back football to Marke Wood Park.

“It turns the page for us and marks a new chapter in giving us more stability and time to continue negotiations for a permanent home ground elsewhere.

“We feel the site is so valuable to the community and have always believed we’re delivering something that the Frederick Franklin charity was set up for and we’ve remained committed to working with Dover District Council.

“We’d love the wider community to now engage with us and support the club. Please come along and watch.”

DDC’s cabinet also agreed to set up a working group to work with the community to look into future use of the pavilion.

The new working group will be chaired by cabinet member and local ward councillor, Cllr Derek Murphy.

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