Chairman Dave Poulson excited for the future after FC Stratford move out of Stratford Town's Arden Garages Stadium

A NEW era dawns for FC Stratford as they depart the Arden Garages Stadium to make a permanent base at the Home Guard Club in Tiddington.

Formed in 2007 as Stratford Town A before adopting the name FC Stratford in 2011, the club has always been based at the Arden Garages Stadium, the home of Stratford Town’s first team.

The club has enjoyed plenty of success at the Knights Lane ground in its relatively short history, but chairman Dave Poulson told the Herald the time was right to move on to pastures new.

“What we want to do is build our own club as we’re always known as the team that plays at Stratford Town,” he said.

“Since I first got involved with FC Stratford, there was always something in my mind about us being able to build our own club.

“While the facilities at Stratford Town are fantastic, they’re not our own. That’s all there is to it really: we want to start doing our own thing.

“I know there were a few rumours going round that we had problems with Stratford Town, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

“We’ve got a great relationship with Stratford Town and there are no problems between us whatsoever.

“Stratford Town have been fantastic with us over the years and we’ve always had the support of Jed [McCrory – Stratford Town chairman].

"We’ve always been looked after by the club and Jed for many years and we still want to have links between the two clubs.

“I’m really excited for our future and for me – it’s giving me a buzz. A lot of people want to get involved with what we want to do so it should be a good move for us.”

McCrory added: “On a personal level, I’ve got a lot of time for Dave and I wish him and FC Stratford all the best for the future.

“If we can help them in any way we will, and I’ve told Dave that. At the end of the day, I want sports clubs in Stratford to be the best they can be.”