Bridport have secured the future of the football club after signing a 99-year lease on their St Mary’s Field home.

The Bees have been negotiating terms over the lease with Bridport Town Council for several years, a process delayed by Dorset County Council’s morph into Dorset Council.

Once the new unitary authority was created, Bridport have been able to steadily progress talks amid the pandemic, securing their home ground until 2121.

Adding extra significance to the lease is the club’s ability to receive grants from The FA, which stipulates a minimum time of 50 years must remain on a lease before a club can apply for funding.

Bridport announced the news at the weekend and had cause for a double celebration after beating Petersfield Town 2-0 to reach the FA Vase main draw.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Bridport chairman Adrian Scadding said: “We’ve been negotiating to get the right result and we have now.

“Both parties are happy with it, so it’s a good result.

“It took a bit of time to get sorted with the town council but it’s better for everybody.

“It helps with grants for the club, we’re more secure there. The FA need a minimum of a 50-year lease before they grant you anything.

“Everyone’s chuffed about it and everyone was on a high Saturday.”