DEAL Town FC have finally secured a 25-year lease from Dover District Council on the Charles Sports Ground.

After years of uncertainty over the future of the ground, the club have signed an agreement which will see them initially pay a peppercorn rent to the council.

Club vice-chairman David Saunders, who worked hard with council officials over many months on the details of the lease, said: “This will preserve senior league football for the people of Deal and conform with our aim of providing a necessary facility for the community.”

Peter Wells, leader of Dover District Council, said: “This has been a long and very complicated matter and I am extremely pleased that the lease has finally been signed.”