The weather matched the mood during a community fun day at Ebbsfleet United.

What started out as a dismal Saturday – much like how Ebbsfleet United started their game against Chelmsford City when they went 1-0 down in the first few seconds of the game – soon cleared for a bright day and a great win for the Fleet.

There wasn’t just football at the ground in Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, on Saturday – there was music, dance and food to keep people happy and entertained ahead of the afternoon kick-off.

Club director Stuart Butler-Gallie said: “The idea of the day was really to give something back to the local people who support us, and put the club at the heart of the community.

“The turn-out was fantastic, we had about 2,200 people join us. For me it was just great to see so many kids at the ground, that’s what this is all about.

“The day started off pretty miserable, like the match, but it just got better and better, the atmosphere was buzzing in the afternoon.

"The day started off pretty miserable, like the match, but it just got better and better, the atmosphere was buzzing in the afternoon." - Stuart Butler-Gallie

“I’ve had a lot of emails saying what a great time people had.”

People from local volunteering groups also turned out with stalls to show what the community has to offer.

There were representatives from the Maritime Volunteer Service, No Walls Garden, The Gr@nd, Northfleet Big Local, Youth Ngage.

The food went down well with everything from doughnuts to an ethnic mix including Afro-Caribbean delights, and goodies from The Bench Cafe.

Tiffany Hanks-McComas and Danny May performed as part of local music group Beat Club.

Members of the Vocademy Singing School put on a show too, as did Caribbean drumming enthusiasts and a Bon Jovi tribute act, among others.

The theme of this year was All the Fun of the Fair and there were children’s rides and traditional fairground stalls.

First team players for the Fleet even spared some time before their match to have a go on the tin can alley.

While few are rarely lucky on such stands, it clearly psyched them up for their 3-1 win later in the day.

With thousands of free tickets handed out, Mr Butler-Gallie hoped it would encourage more people to consider the Fleet as part of their community, and make the club a more popular choice for family outings.

For all the pictures from the day see your Gravesend Messenger this week.