A two-and-a-half year campaign by the Dartford Times to get a purpose-built stadium for the town’s football club has netted a great result.

Since the early nineties “the Darts” have been forced to play outside the borough after their ground was sold off to a developer.

In October 2001 the Archant-owned Dartford Times launched its Bring the Darts Back to Dartford campaign and thousands of readers sent in coupons of support and signed various petitions.

Then, earlier this month, Kentish Times group editor Melody Ryall received a call from the local council.

She said: “I was told by a reliable source at Dartford council that they had decided to stump up £2m to build the club its own stadium and it should be ready by 2006 at the latest.

“At the Dartford Times we were delighted to hear this news. It’s a coup for the paper and its readers and a huge bonus for the people of Dartford.”

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