The search is on for Kingstonian to find a new football ground as the sale of Kingsmeadow stadium nears completion.

The 130-year-old club currently ground-share with leaseholders AFC Wimbledon, but the Dons are in talks to sell the lease to Premier League champions Chelsea, who want to use the ground for their women’s team.

If the sale goes through, Kingstonian would have to find a new ground in time for the start of the 2016-17 season next September.

Representatives for Kingstonian met fans after their match against Billericay Town earlier this month in an attempt to secure the club’s future.

Kingston Councillor and Kingstonian fan Jon Tolley, who was at the meeting, said: “The directors have been very good in all of this, but we are all aware of how small Kingstonian is.

“We are going to get some cash from Wimbledon, but we may have to share with someone because we may not be able to afford to build a new ground.

“It is about making sure we stay in Kingston. There are a few ideas, but the reality is, it is so early.

“It is basically for the fans to take on. The face of Kingston is changing.”

The Dons have reportedly pledged £1m to help Kingstonian find a new home.

The most viable option for Kingstonian appears to be entering into another ground share with neighbouring football clubs.

Hampton & Richmond Borough Football Cub’s Beveree Stadium is roughly four miles from Kingsmeadow, but it would mean moving out of the borough to Richmond.

Club chairman Steve McPherson claimed there had yet to be any contact from Kingstonian, although he was open to starting discussions about a possible ground share with the club.

The Beavers chairman said: “I have not spoken to anyone, but obviously we would sit down and talk to them because they are our neighbours. I know the chairman very well.” 

Another option could be sharing King George’s Field  in Tolworth with amateur football club Corinthian Casuals.

Chairman Brian Vandervilt did not comment on a possible ground share, but said the club viewed Kingstonian as a “sister club”.

Mr Vandervilt said: “We know of their need for a new home and we at Corinthian Casuals are wishing them all the best in their efforts.”

Kingstonian’s future will be debated at a full council meeting in December after a petition calling for the club to remain in the borough was signed by more than 500 people.

If the Ks could build their own ground, where would it be? 

Cannabis forest, Berrylands

Surrey Comet:

Police officers discovered a small forest of cannabis Christmas trees "the size of a football pitch" in Berrylands last month.

More than 150 herbal plants had bloomed – some as tall as 5ft tall in Lower Marsh Lane close to the Hogsmill Sewage Treatment Works belonging to Thames Water.

Kingston police confirmed the expert gardening had been destroyed leaving empty land days after.

 

Tolworth Court Farm

Surrey Comet:

Could a historic medieval farm that once hosted an illegal rave and many a traveller incursion become a place of sport?

Last year Councillor Kevin Davis pledged his support to a new country park for residents in the borough.

He revealed the authority had set its sights on the 107-acre Norman  plot in Old Kingston Road, close to the border with Epsom and Ewell. No further details have been released since.

Asked whether the greenbelt site could accommodate Kingstonian, Coun Davis said: “we would have a riot on our hands.”

 

Tolworth Court Sports Ground

Surrey Comet:

Kingston University’s Tolworth Court sports ground boasts two rugby pitches, an American football pitch and a lacrosse pitch amongst its sporting spaces – but could Kingstonian find itself a home here?

The club already trains twice a week at the Old Kingston Road ground close to Tolworth Court Farm.

Its under-19s also play home games at the ground.

But a statement from the university said: “There are no current plans to build a football stadium at Tolworth Court sports ground.”