Kingstonian FC has confirmed the club could be fan-owned by the end of the season as they prepare to leave Kingsmeadow in the summer of 2017.

Landlords AFC Wimbledon are hoping to sell the ground to Premier League giants Chelsea to help fund their proposed move back to Plough Lane.

The Dons, who have offered a significant donation to help their tenants find a new home, submitted revised planning applications in July to Merton Council in relation to proposals to redevelop Wimbledon Stadium.

Contracts for the sale of the club's current ground remain to be agreed and signed, while approval for AFC Wimbledon’s new ground may not be rubberstamped until next year.

Even so, Ks are pressing ahead with plans to find a new venue in Kingston with the help of the borough council and have already appointed stadium architects and designers.

Co-chairmen John Fenwick, Mark Anderson and Malcolm Winwright have also held talks with Supporters Direct – a body that advises on setting up supporters’ trusts in relation to football club ownership.

The sale of the club to fans could be complete by the end of the current Ryman Premier League campaign as they try to get the ambitious project of building a new stadium off the ground.

“For some time, we have debated the forming of a community owned football club,” said a written statement from Kingstonian’s co-chairmen at the weekend.

“We have concluded at this significant time there is a golden opportunity to commence this process.

“We would therefore encourage everyone to come together as owners of their football club.

“We have already had a number of meetings with Supporters Direct. More are planned once when we have more clarity with AFC Wimbledon’s position.

“The next meetings will involve the Supporters Club Executive Committee, with the aim of developing a plan incorporating the timing of moving the ownership of Kingstonian FC Ltd to a new community-owned football club.

“At the time of writing we believe we might achieve formation before the end of this season.”

The trio have also confirmed Kingstonian will inevitably have to ground-share while they find a new home.

Meanwhile, a Ricky Sappleton penalty earned Ks an FA Cup first qualifying round replay with Farnborough thanks to a 1-1 draw at Kingsmeadow on Saturday.