Faversham Town say they remain open to future groundshares - despite planning to go without a tenant next season.

Over the past three campaigns, the Lilywhites have shared their facilities at Salters Lane - including a 3G pitch, which was installed in the summer of 2023 - with Faversham Strike Force.

But Town admit they have been surprised by Strike Force’s decision to not renew their groundshare, with the club expected to move to Whitstable Town’s Belmont ground instead.

With that leaving little time for Faversham to find potential new tenants, they have decided to “explore other opportunities for revenue” for their 2025/26 campaign.

“We’re surprised by Faversham Strike Force's decision to not renew their groundshare with us for the 2025/26 season,” Town said in a statement from the club’s board on Monday. “We had held very positive meetings regarding the renewal so are very disappointed by their decision to move away.

“It has been a successful two seasons (sharing on the new 3G pitch, having also had one campaign together on the previous grass pitch prior to that) with many shared benefits to both clubs and local communities. We wish them all the best in their new venture.

“We only found out about their decision to move elsewhere a few weeks prior to the groundshare deadline. This gave us very little time to negotiate a new groundshare.

“We had a couple of tentative enquiries, to which we responded with the terms that made this a viable option for both parties.

“We were not approached for any formal negotiations and, at a recent board meeting, it was decided we would explore other opportunities for revenue for this coming season.

“This coming season will allow us to try new things and, if a groundshare is the best option, time to fully negotiate the best interests of both parties for future seasons.

“We remain open to groundsharing in the future if it’s in the best interest of both parties.”

The Lilywhites are closing in on the Southern Counties East League Premier Division title while Strike Force are challenging for promotion into that division.

They sit second in Division 1, five points behind frontrunners Forest Hill Park but with a match in hand.