Thamesmead Town have announced they will be groundsharing with Dartford Football Club for the next five seasons.

Chairman Paul Bowden-Brown has confirmed he has entered a five-year Ground Share Agreement with the board of Dartford Football Club – where by beginning at the start of season 2017/2018, Thamesmead Town will be playing their home matches at Princes Park stadium for the next five seasons.

After receiving the official formal ratification of the Ground share agreement from the Board of the Ryman Football League, the Mead’s Chairman said, “I would like to thank Steve Irving (joint Chairman of DFC) together with his fellow Directors, for the way they have dealt with this long and time consuming process which has resulted in this formal agreement being agreed – one which I personally feel in the end, is well worth the effort.”

“I would also like to thank Nick Robinson, the Chairman of the Isthmian League, for his considerable personal input with this matter and ensuring that our legal position was protected.

Explaining the reasons for the decision to move the club away from Bayliss Avenue, Mr. Bowden-Brown said, “It is very unfortunate that Peabody were not able to offer the Football Club an agreed five year package when requested.”

“Had they been in that position, the Football Club would not have contemplated a move, but TTFC is operated as a business and needs security of Tenure at all times. Without that we cannot operate within the League rules, and therefore for the financial stability and security of the Club, I made the difficult decision to look elsewhere for the Club to play its First Team Matches.”

“And to this end, here we are playing at Princes Park – a genuine Football Stadium – from July 2017.”

“There will be several individuals that will not agree with my decision to move the Club, and I have already heard comments that I am “killing the Club” by moving. But let’s be quiet clear – I feel in my opinion that the trouble started when this fine old Club gave up its considerable “Security of Tenure”, as a condition of moving into the New Stadium, without gaining from the then Landlords (Thamesmead Trust) an agreed annual rate rather than short term licenses that were offered that were increased yearly.”

“I would like to place on record my formal thanks to our current Landlords – the Peabody Trust and their Senior Management – especially Dawn Young (Head of Operational Services) and all her staff at the SCT – our Home for the last 4 years. I am sure everyone that ALL who have visited SCT on a match day will confirm the warm welcome and generous hospitality that they always received and that was only achieved with the staff’s efforts and help!”

“But because the Club is an operating business, difficult decisions had to be made if it was to survive. The move to Princes Park will hopefully allow the Board to bring the Club into the 21st Century, and as the person with his hand on the heart of this fine old Club, I feel that this decision will give the Club a new lease of life.”

Club Secretary Dave Joy commented, “Sadly, the re location to Dartford Football Club has unfortunately become a necessity… It is a radical and some may say brave decision by him to take TTFC out of Thamesmead but it was felt that it was our only positive solution to ensure our future within the football pyramid.”

“The agreement that The Chairman has put in place with DFC is as watertight as any Club could expect. Everyone needs to support this move; I’m sure some parties will be critical but it has been done for totally the right reasons and hopefully, will build a strong platform for Thamesmead Town Football Club to remain in existence for many years to come.

First team manager Tommy Warrilow added, “For someone who has only been involved in the club for one season, I honestly think that this move is one hundred percent right for the future of the Football Club. I know that it’s taking it away from its’ spiritual home but ironically enough Dartford had to do exactly the same thing (albeit in different circumstances) but eventually went back to their home a much stronger club.”

“This will be a new start for the club and is something that we have got to be excited about and embrace positively to help carry this club forward and up the non-league pyramid.”

“I know that there’s a lot of sentiment involved around the club regarding this decision – and I do not want to disrespect anyone’s opinions or views but sometimes unfortunately you have to be a realist and in again the short time I’ve been at this football club this is one hundred percent the right decision to make sure that there is a Thamesmead Town Football Club.”

The Chairman re-iterated his previously made commitment to the club’s current Family Season Ticket holders that he will honor all renewals for next season at the club’s new home at Princes Park at prices frozen for a third season.

He also confirmed that he was finalizing an offer to Dartford Supporters who do not follow the Darts when they play away for whatever reason. The scheme – to be called the “Thamesmead Darts Membership” – is intended to offer those non travelling supporters reduced entry to Mead’s home league games.

The Chairman said, “I am sure many of them know Tommy and the type of football his teams play, so I am sure they will join our own supporters to enjoy the experience!”

Mr. Bowden-Brown concluded, “I am looking forward to the new season with the Club playing at Princes Park and hope that the terms of this Agreement will support fully our plans for next season on the field!”