Chelmsford City FC has made a generous undisclosed five-figure cash gift to 'landlords' Billericay Town to build a new 300-seater stand.

The new structure is expected to be ready by March 20.

The gift is described as 'insurance' to ensure that if City come first or second in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division this season they can move into the Premier Division, and not be blocked through lack of facilities.

City Chairman Peter Stroud on Friday said it was as much a commitment to City fans as it was to ensure no impediment for the team rising a league.

"We are still working for our new ground at Chelmsford but in the meantime, time is money.

''We cannot afford not to move up a league if we have the chance because our aim is to be in the Nationwide Conference League as quickly as possible.

''Billericay have been good and generous hosts to us and we are delighted to make this stand a gift to them once we move to our new ground at Springfield.

"There is no question of us not moving. Negotiations between the club, the developers, planners and the borough council have been going well.

"The site of the new ground has been re-located 150 yards to the north of its original position so that it could have no effect on the very necessary new railway halt scheme.''

''The area near the railway has to give priority to the planned halt. Moving slightly makes no difference to our plans.''

Chelmsford City Football Club Chairman, Peter Stroud.

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