Kentish Football 
There is a chance here for Canterbury to have a real proud asset, says chairman Tim Clark
The eight-week consultation is being run between the 10 December and 3 February 2013.
The plan aims to locate a new football stadium at Ridlands Farm, an area of land off South Canterbury Road (behind the Kent and Canterbury Hospital). The proposals also include potential for some of the surrounding land to be enhanced for public recreation and/or mini football pitches.
Commenting on the consultation, Canterbury City chairman Tim Clark said in a statement, which was published on www.canterburycityfc.com late on Wednesday night, “It has been a long time getting to this stage and I know the Council have come under some criticism for delay and a perceived lack of earlier consultation.
“However, I hope anyone looking at these proposal’s should be able to see a considered balance between public amenity and concerns and the need to see Canterbury’s representative City football team back home.
“It is also fair to say that much of the design is constrained by the very strict FA Ground Grading requirements which must be followed to the letter.
“I would say a lot of work has gone into this from the Council to ensure a very meaningful consultation process. ”
Canterbury City Football Club would like to encourage anyone in favour of the proposals to register their support with the Council; to assist a pro-forma letter of support can be down loaded from the club’s website.
A copy of the draft Masterplan proposals; questionnaire and details on how to respond can all be found on the Council’s webpage at www.canterbury.gov.uk/ccfc from Monday.
Mr Clark added: “During the consultation, the Football Club will of course where required provide answers to any questions on the Club’s activities and ambition.
“We are a Community Club and intend the new ground to not only benefit the first team but also our Youth, Disability and Community Sections and the wider public. There is a chance here for Canterbury to have a real asset of which as a City we can be rightly proud and to make amends of a fact that we currently cannot be so proud of – namely Canterbury remains not only the lowest placed City football club in the country but also the only City without their representative team playing out of the City they represent. I would like to think we all want to work together on this proposal to put that right.”
Meanwhile, back on the pitch, Canterbury City manager Simon Austin has brought in Steve Rice as his new assistant manager. He replaces Jimmy Strouts.
“The club would like to place on record its thanks to Jimmy for his contribution and wish him well for the future.”
Canterbury City, who are presently in the bottom six in the Kent League, with a playing record of four wins and five draws from fourteen games, travel to Eltham to lock horns with league rivals Cray Valley in the second round of the Kent Senior Trophy on Saturday.
Steve Chapman’s side go into the game on the back of a humiliating 9-1 home defeat to Tunbridge Wells last weekend.
Visit Canterbury City’s website: www.canterburycityfc.com
Cray Valley (Paper Mills) v Canterbury City
Kent Senior Trophy Second Round
Saturday 8th December 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Badgers Sports Ground, Middle Park Avenue, Eltham, London SE9 5HT
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd