Government plans for a Garden City on Ebbsfleet United’s doorstep have been well received by Stonebridge Road bosses.

With an initial 15,000 homes to be built following chancellor George Osborne’s announcement last weekend, the Fleet’s potential fanbase will significantly increase.

And vice-chairman Peter Varney is already working out how to turn those new homeowners into Ebbsfleet supporters.

Reacting to Mr Osborne’s announcement, Mr Varney said: "It’s fantastic for us on several levels.

"It becomes a much bigger town, or city, so it brings lots more people into the borough and that’s good for us.

"We’ve got to get our act together and work with the developers to promote Ebbsfleet United as soon as someone puts a deposit down on a property, to give them an incentive to come and see us.

"Every city should have a football club and here at Ebbsfleet we are proud of ours."