Ebbsfleet United can today announce the next phase of stadium development will be refurbishment works to the Swanscombe End, to take place in January 2018.

National League requirements to qualify for the play-offs mean a stadium capacity of 4,000 is required and the Fleet will embark on a £200,000 strengthening of the Swanscombe End terrace to bring the Kuflink Stadium up to a capacity of 4,790, from its current 3,134.

The work will entail removal and replacement of the existing crush barriers and pumping of concrete to reinforce the terrace together with the addition of a new turnstile and exit gate. The intention is to complete the work quickly and close the Swanscombe End through January, when Fleet have only two scheduled home games, thus ensuring the club is in full compliance by the March 1st deadline.

The Plough End redevelopment will be proceeding at a date to be announced in due course, on completion of the Swanscombe End work.

Fleet vice chairman Peter Varney said, “These works are yet another example of Dr Abdulla’s full commitment to the club and he has made these funds available now to ensure we meet with all National League regulations. It doesn’t make sense to do this job to the Swanscombe End piecemeal and the least disruptive way to carry this out is to get the entire set of works complete in January, assuming we don’t have a harsh winter affecting the timetable.”

The intention now for the finished Kuflink Stadium will be a capacity of 8,500 with potential to rise to 10,500 if required at any stage in the future.