K Sports Football Club is on the move and they’re changing name too - after announcing a departure from their century-old home.

A 105-year stay at the Cobdown Sports & Social Club is coming to an end as the football club - formerly known as Aylesford Paper Mills - will from next season groundshare at Sheppey United’s Holm Park and be known as Sheppey Sports FC.

K Sports are currently playing in Division 1 of the Southern Counties East Football Club

A club statement says the move is necessary to “ensure the long-term stability of the club” and comes after Welling Town reached an agreement to play at Cobdown as new primary tenants, taking on K Sports’ youth and Sunday section, leaving K Sports with just their one senior side.

“As a result,” the statement continued “the club has seen attendances drop, a lack of local sponsorship and, of course, no pathway for players to come through the first team.”

K Sports’ chairman is George Batten - son of Sheppey United’s ground owner, director and manager Ernie Batten - and he’s also the first team manager alongside brother Ian Batten.

The two clubs have been working closely together since the Batten brothers got involved at K Sports and several of Sheppey United’s players have played for them on dual registration deals.

This move brings the two clubs a lot closer and Sheppey Sports will now be “bridging the gap” between Sheppey United’s under-23s and their Isthmian League first team by providing Step 4 football at the same venue.

K Sports said the move will “allow young players to fully experience the men’s game who may not yet be ready to make the jump into the first team at Sheppey United.

“The club this season has prided itself on giving young players a chance.

“We have been lucky to be able to have some top players on dual registration with Sheppey United, who the young lads have been able to play alongside and learn from at a good level of football.

“We hope that young players looking for a chance to progress in the game will see the club as the place to be to go in, learn and gain valuable experience at one of the best facilities in non-league football.

“We can’t wait to get started at Holm Park in June and hope the community are looking forward to the addition of a second non-league club on the island.

“We look forward to getting to know everyone and providing those who may not be unable to travel to say games with Sheppey United the option to still get their football fix at affordable prices.”

Aylesford Paper Mills was K Sports’ original name, starting out in 1919, and joining the Kent League in the late 1920s.

The club folded in the late 60s after a few seasons playing in the London League and then the Kent County League. A series of name changes followed after their rebirth and return to the Kent County League in 1974, winning a title as Reed International, before reverting back to Aylesford Paper Mills.

They were known as APM Mears in 2003 and became APM in 2010 and then APM Contrast a year later after a sponsorship deal.

In 2016 they adopted the current K Sports name in recognition of the company that took over the running of the multi-sport facility in Aylesford, but the move to Sheppey is by far the club’s biggest change since its inception.

Welling Town – currently bottom of the SCEFL Premier Division – will start life at K Sports, Cobdown from July 1, agreeing on an initial five-year deal to stay at the facility.

They are currently sharing with Phoenix Sports at Mayfield Place, Bexleyheath.

The club said: “Our agreement will provide a new home for our first team, as well as provide stability and a greater pathway for our ever-growing youth setup which has expanded from one sole side 12 months ago to 18 now, with plans to increase this number in the coming close season.

“Further opportunities will now exist for the club with us having greater involvement in the football activity on the site. This will allow us to support other local clubs of all levels wanting to train and play matches at the venue, and we look forward to working with other local grassroots and community teams who currently use the facility, as well as welcoming local schools and new users.

“This agreement will transform the club overnight and we look forward to an exciting plan of works off the field, as well as the inevitable strengthening on the field, that this agreement will bring for everyone involved at the club from top to bottom.”