Canterbury City FC are hoping to make shockwaves in May’s local elections by helping secure independent candidates a number of seats on the city council.

The club, which was two weeks ago dealt a crippling blow when plans for a new ground were dashed by the authority’s planning committee, is currently sourcing prospective councillors with a shared vision of improving sport provision across the district.

Having already gained enough backing to stand in 10 different wards, club chairman Tim Clark hopes City can follow the lead of Charlton Athletic supporters - who, in 1990 captured 11% of vote at the Greenwich Borough Council elections.

The Valley Party successfully campaigned for the reopening of The Valley stadium, allowing Charlton to return to their home following eight nomadic years.

Canterbury City are suffering from a similar homeless predicament as they struggle to stay afloat without having a ground they can call home.

Quinn Estates had devised plans to deliver a new stadium as part of a 300-acre development at Highland Court Farm, near Bridge. The proposals, which were to be funded by the construction of 170 high-end holiday homes, were resoundingly rejected last week as councillors refused to allow an area of outstanding natural beauty to be built upon.

Mark Quinn, CEO of Quinn Estates, told the Gazette last week how he will go back to the drawing the board and come back with a revised scheme.

Following the decision, the city council stated it remains “committed to supporting the club in their efforts to find a new home”.

But Mr Clark, who says the authority promised to help the club when they were turfed out from Kingsmead Stadium in 1999, believes the council has given up.

“No individual councillor has engaged with the football club at all in the last six years,” he said.

“They gave up looking for a site in 2013. Enough is enough, and people realise that.

“There is no coherent sporting policy on the council, with there being a total lack of sporting facilities for the younger generation.

“People are angry at the council and we can harness that. That’s why we’re taking matters into our own hands and getting independent non-political candidates to stand in May.

“It’s not inconceivable to make an impact. I really believe that with good people behind us we can make a difference.

“We have very good relationships with the universities so I think the student population will come and support us. There will be a total re-emphasis on sport.

“We have a good mix of professionals and teachers - they are all the sort of people who would make really good councillors.

The club is currently putting together a manifesto and will announce a full list of candidates after their FA Vase quarter-final on Sunday, February 24.

It is not thought the club will create a new party to stand, but will instead encourage residents to vote for independent candidates.

A shadow also hangs over the future home of Canterbury Rugby Club following the rejection of the Highland Court bid.

As part of the proposed sporting ‘hub’, the rugby club would have benefited from six new pitches and a clubhouse.

It has just seven years left on its lease at the Nackington Road site.

Chairman Giles Hilton, however, has dismissed any suggestion the club’s future is under threat.

“Are we in danger of collapsing? No we aren’t,” he said. “But we are an endangered species. Not through a lack of numbers but through our want to grow.

“We’re under pressure if we want to grow and move through the leagues and achieve what we want to.

“We need better training facilities, need better hospitality, need better parking - it is our desire to move as we have outgrown the current facilities.

“For us, the Highland Court scheme remains the absolutely ideal location for our relocation.”