IT is a new dawn for both Maldon Town and Tiptree United.

The Ryman League division one north and Essex Senior League clubs have linked up in a ground-sharing arrangement following the departure of former Maldon chairman Mick Kirkman last week.

Tiptree United secretary John Wisbey said: “Nothing has changed in regards to Tiptree, but we have taken up an option to transfer our playing to Maldon’s ground.

“If I am honest then our ground share could develop into something more than that.

“If I’m truthful, I’ll be surprised if it does not, but we will be ground sharing at the moment.”

He added: “In the fullness of time there may be a coming together of the two clubs.

“It would halve the costs to both clubs in terms of utilities and preparing the grounds.

“That means Saturday’s game was the last at Chapel Road and it has now been sold, as it is ripe for housing development.

“We have been trying to sell it for some time and that appears to have been signed so we need somewhere to play.”

FA rules state that football clubs cannot get rid of a pitch like Chapel Road without a replacement being in place and Wisbey said Tiptree would still have the ground it had purchased in Colchester Road in the village.

“The sale of our Chapel Road location has nothing to do with the other ground we own in Colchester Road,” he added.

“That is not part of the deal.

“You can’t just dig up a pitch without an alternative in place and the FA are quite insistent about that.”

Last week’s developments saw Stuart Nethercott removed as Town manager and Tiptree boss Colin Wallington taking the reins for their Ryman League division one north match at VCD Athletic on Saturday.

The Jam-makers assistant manager Brad King deputised for the Essex Senior League side in their FA Vase win against Barkingside.

Wallington said both club’s players were now registered to play for either.