This newspaper has started a campaign to keep the 130-year old Kingstonian Football Club in the borough.

Surrey Comet:

The campaign has been started by the Kingston Guardian and Surrey Comet 

The club have played at Kingsmeadow stadium in Norbiton for 25 years but the set up has come under threat following a decision by leaseholders AFC Wimbledon to sell the stadium to premier league giants Chelsea and build a new ground in Merton.

Proud supporter Jamie Cutteridge posted an online petition calling on the council to honour a covenant for Ks to remain at Kingsmeadow- it needs more than 500 to be debated by full council.

It currently has almost 400.

Mr Cutteridge said: “Kingstonian no longer feel like they’re the town’s local club, they feel like they’ve lost their identity, so the fact that the paper is getting behind us is fantastic really.”

Kingston Council leader Kevin Davis has issued a statement to clarify the council’s position.

He said: “It is important to clarify the position and the influence the council can have in all this.

"First of all, Kingston Council owns the freehold for Kingsmeadow Stadium and that is not for sale.

“AFC Wimbledon is the leaseholder and could, if they wanted, decide to effectively sell that leasehold.

"The current lease between the council and AFC Wimbledon allows (but does not require) AFC to sub-let, which they do in the form of a ground-sharing agreement with Kingstonian FC.

"As far as I'm aware there is no covenant in the title to the land or in the lease between Kingston Council and AFC that obliges any party to provide accommodation to Kingstonian FC.”

Surrey Comet:

Manager Tommy Williams and Kingstonian fans

Despite appearing to crush the hopes of the fans, Mr Davis has joined our paper’s campaign to see Ks be able to continue playing within the borough boundaries somewhere.

He said: “I for one am committed to doing whatever I can to ensure Kingstonian has a future in the borough.

“As our borough grows and changes, we must protect our heritage and the things that make this area special. Kingstonian FC certainly falls into that category.

"I have met with representatives of Kingstonian FC to offer the council's support in either negotiating a new ground-sharing agreement with new leaseholders, should a transfer of the lease go through, or failing that in trying to identify suitable locations in the borough for a new ground to be built."

The campaign already has cross-party political support and Labour group leader councillor Linsey Cottington added her voice by saying: “I’m on board with the whole town. Kingstonian is the senior football club with a long and proud history. It must be found a new home if it is to prosper.”

Kingston and Surbiton MP James Berry has also pledged his support describing the club as "a local institution.”

To sign the petition visit: epetition.kingston.public-i.tv/epetition_core/view/Kingstonian