Epping Town Football Club is being kicked out of its home by the town council after almost half a century at the ground.

The Essex Olympian Football League side has played at Stonards Hill since 1972 however a feud with Epping Town Council now threatens the future of the club.

The bad-blooded dispute has led to the council refusing to renew the club’s licence to play at Stonards Hill for the 2020/21 season.

The football club, formed in 1948 as Coopersale FC, has levelled criticism at the council for only allowing the club to use the main football pitches during the playing season.

In an official club statement, Epping Town labelled the council’s refusal to let the club use the pitches in the offseason for training “a scandal”.

Epping mayor Cllr Grahame Scruton hit back at the club for not ‘picking up the phone’ to discuss the matter and ‘directing abuse at the council’ via social media.

Epping Forest Guardian:

Cllr Scruton has criticised the way the club has handled negotiations. Photo: Epping Town Council

Relations between club and council were already strained after the council took down floodlights at the ground, removed a covered stand and refused planning permission for new dugouts.

Town council officials maintain the club is being unreasonable and that the pitches must remain closed during the offseason to allow for proper maintenance.

However, the club counters it has only been able to play about 30 games on the pitches over the last three years – when most clubs would play close to 150 over the same period – due to the regulations.

In a statement, the town council said: “Despite repeated explanations as to the reasons for the rules, Epping Town Football Club will not accept the regulations.

“The town council cannot continue to work with a licencee whose behaviour is so disrespectful to council and its reasonable procedures.”

Epping Forest Guardian:

Fans will have to watch home games at Epping Upper Clapton Rugby Club this season. Photo: Epping Town FC

Following eviction from the club’s home, Epping Town FC is fundraising for the coming season.

The club is looking to raise £2,000 to help cover operational costs.

For the time being the club will share a home with Epping Upper Clapton Rugby Club in Upland Road, Thornwood Common.

In a statement, club chairman Niall McGowan said: “Epping Town FC make no apology for any criticism or challenge to Epping Town Council and believe any such challenges have always been motivated by a desire to provide a sports club that the people of Epping can support and be proud of.

“It is our opinion that Epping Town Council have indeed been obstructive in the club’s efforts to thrive and although it saddens us all, Epping Town Council have forced Epping Town FC out of Stonards.”

Cllr Grahame, Epping town mayor, said: “Epping Town FC have not had their licence renewed because they cannot accept our rules of operation. The football club cannot accept Stonards Hill is a public recreation ground for all to use, not just for football and the Town Council must manage and maintain it as they see fit.

“The football chairman has not picked up the telephone to discuss the matter. They continue to operate the abuse directed at this council by social media. We do not operate in this way.”

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