JUST after a week since it went on the market, the owners of the former East Thurrock United ground, social facilities and playing fields at Rookery Hill have found a new tenant.

Romford FC has announced that the club will be taking up tenure of the site, vacated with the closure by its owner of East Thurrock FC in September.

Last week details appeared of a five year lease deal for the ground through Corringham estate agents Binks and Brown, and a deal has quickly been struck with Havering side Romford - who have been homeless since their ground at Sungate closed in 2001.

Potential applicants were told the lease deal was for a period of up to five years, though it appears from the nature of Romford's statement that they have aspirations to stay longer.

The ground was bought in June 2022 by gypsy multi-millionaire Alfie Best for an undisclosed sum following the death of previous owner Ben Bennett. Mr Best promised investment in the community club, including building it a new stadium and he was pictured with members of the youth football sides at Rookery Hill saying he relished the opportunity to forge relations with the local community.

Alfie Best flew into Rookery Hill amid a new wave of optimism at ETU.

Mr Best arrived with a new wave of optimism and promised great things ahead for the club and local community.

His long term plan was to build a residential homes park at Rookery Hill, but that appears to have run into problems with Thurrock Council who recently refused a certificate of lawfulness for the site as a place for residential homes.

In September it was announced the club was being folded and that provoked a welter of recriminations and differing views about the cause of the club's demise.

The deal with Romford appears to offer a home for East Thurrock's youth sections for the remainder of this season, but above and beyond that a spokesman for the successful and popular local youth set-up told Nub News the future of the club as ETU Youth remained uncertain.

Over recent years Romford have been upbeat about playing at their own ground in the London Borough of Havering with a new stadium at Westlands Playing Fields in London Road planned.

A statement on the club's website says: "The club are currently going through various procedures to be able to proceed with this project."

However, the latest statement on social media appears to indicate a change of plan. It says: "We have some thrilling news to share. Romford Football Club is embarking on a new journey as we prepare to move to a new home ground.

"Our decision to relocate is driven by the desire to provide our team and fans with an even more exceptional football experience.

"We are excited to reveal that we'll be making East Thurrock Stadium (now Romford Football Club) our new home, and it promises to be a high standard facility that will elevate the club's experience to a whole new level.

"The transition to our new home will take place week commencing 30th October with the first game planned for 4th of November against Ilford.

"We're planning a free-for-all entry grand opening event at our new stadium, with various activities for fans and the local community. Stay tuned for more information about the date and how to get involved.

"We understand the sentimental value of our current stadium, but we believe that this move will mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Romford Football Club.

"We appreciate your unwavering support, and we can't wait to share this exciting journey with you.

Romford club chairman Steve Gardener said: "This is the start of an exciting chapter for the club and one which we hope supporters, existing and new will embrace.  For the first time since the club's reformation we will have a ground that we can call our own for the foreseeable future.

"With the support of fans and the local community we look to grow the support, the club, and to continue with the growth of the club, and supporting the local community.

"We have waited a long time for somewhere we could use as a base, for events, somewhere permanent we could call home.

"We have been very happy at Barking FC but the opportunity to have a facility the supporters can make their own, and feel it belongs to Romford FC was an opportunity we couldn't miss.

"It will require hard work, require more volunteers but is the first stepping stone towards the club's long term ambitions."

The club's manager, Dan Spinks, added: "I'm extremely thrilled as we prepare to unveil our new Romford FC stadium, a momentous occasion in our club's history. This splendid venue isn't just a place to play; it will soon become the warm embrace our players needed to feel at home and it's where we'll fortify our team spirit and establish it as an impenetrable fortress.

"But it's not just about us; it's also about our loyal fans. This stadium is where we can finally welcome them, where they'll find their true home, where they'll be part of something special. Their support has been unwavering, and now, they have a place to call their own, a place where their passion and dedication will shine even brighter.

"Together we will turn this stadium into a symbol of our strength, unity, and unwavering determination."