Thamesmead Town Football Club have announced they will be playing their home games at Princes Park in Dartford as part of a ground-sharing arrangement.

The announcement was made by Thamesmead chairman Paul Bowden-Brown on Wednesday.

The club have entered a five-year agreement with the board of Dartford FC to share the ground next season.

Mr Bowden-Brown said it was unfortunate the current providers, Peabody, were not able to offer the club an agreed five-year package when requested but TTFC is operated as a business and needs security of tenure at all times.

The chairman said: “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.

“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 that it was a brave decision but felt it was the only positive solution for the future of the club.

He said: “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.”

The club will honour commitments to family season ticket holders and will continue to freeze ticket prices at Princes Park.

It has been confirmed that a scheme is being developed to offer Dartford fans who do not follow the team to away games reduced entry to Thamesmead home games.