A FOOTBALL club is expected to be granted a 15 year lease on a disused running track and its interior field.

Castle Point Council will be discussing the proposal a meeting on Wednesday, which could see Canvey Island Youth Football Club take on the use of the track at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, in Somnes Avenue, on Canvey.

In a report ahead of the meeting, Godfrey Isaacs, Tory councillor for Neighbourhoods, Safer Communities and Leisure says the club has long been trying to secure additional pitches to meet the demands of its expanding youth teams.

Mr Isaacs wrote: “The running track, whilst suitable for informal training, is not suitable for competition athletics.

“Minimal maintenance is undertaken on it to ensure that it is maintained in a safe condition.

“The offer by the Canvey Island Football Club provides an opportunity to improve the condition and usage of both the running track itself and the interior area of the track at no cost to the council.

“Better utilisation of this area on training evenings should help to deter antisocial behaviour.”

The Gulls have three senior sides, and twenty youth teams on its books and approached the council last year aiming to use the inside of the track.

Fears had been raised over the future of the track and field after an advert appeared to suggest the council would “dispose” of the facility.

However the authority later confirmed it reached an agreement with the club, which is expected to pay £4,800 for the maintenance of the grass area and ensure the running track remains open for public use.

The plans will also see goal posts removed when not in use by the youth teams.