Liverpool legend Ian Rush will play a role in one non-league side relocating this summer
Liverpool FC representative Ian Rush watches the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16, Quarter-finals And Semi-finals Draw at the UEFA Headquarters
A football ground part-owned by Liverpool icon Ian Rush is set to be vacated in the near future(Image: Kristian Skeie - UEFA, UEFA via Getty Images)
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Non-league outfit AFC Whyteleafe have revealed plans to vacate their Church Road ground, which is part-owned by Liverpool icon Ian Rush. The Anfield legend has served as the club's landlord since acquiring the site alongside Irama Sports back in 2021.
Whyteleafe recently secured promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division. They defeated Croydon Athletic in the South East Division play-offs this term, just five years after the club was formed.
With the Surrey-based club preparing for life in the seventh tier, Whyteleafe have confirmed they will ground-share with south-east London outfit Cray Wanderers next season. The departure from Church Road will see the team relocate to Flamingo Park, which is some 14 miles away.
An Irama Sports statement posted on social media read: "Since acquiring the Church Road grounds in late 2020, Ian Rush and IRAMA have navigated five challenging years of legal proceedings, public scrutiny, and ongoing disputes inherited from the previous ownership.
"Despite these challenges, we have built a healthy and positive relationship with the wider community and ensuring the youth teams stability at the ground.
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"We are disappointed by today's developments. We had been working constructively with AFC Whyteleafe on a proposed lease arrangement, including positive discussions around replacing the 3G pitch.
"We have arranged for the pitch to be treated and should it not meet the required standard, we will take necessary steps to have the turf replaced."
Liverpool icon Ian Rush applauding the Anfield crowd
Rush remains active in football and maintains an ambassadorial role with Liverpool(Image: LFC Foundation/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Irama maintains the Church Road owners "have continued to invest in the site and keep teams playing." The statement follows Whyteleafe's announcement regarding their intention to stage first-team fixtures at Flamingo Park.
Whyteleafe confirmed the squad will remain at Church Road for training next season and that their youth teams will also continue to be based there. Nevertheless, the arrangement with Cray Wanderers means the first team will compete at an alternative venue.
A club statement said: "Our story has been incredible. Now we find ourselves at step 3, only five short years after starting at step 8. Our meteoric rise on the pitch unfortunately means we have outgrown our historic home at Church Road.
"In order for the club to survive and continue to thrive, we need to move to a ground more suitable for the level we will be playing at. This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We understand how much it means to the community. But unfortunately, for now, we have to move to keep going until such a time as it's possible to move back."
Flamingo Park boasts a capacity of 2,500 with a new 299-seat stand and 3G playing surface. Despite departing Church Road, AFC Whyteleafe have encouraged fans to follow the side at their new home.
The club statement concluded: "We are so grateful for all the support we have received over the last five years. We have tried everything in our power to keep first team football in Whyteleafe. And we will do everything in our power to bring it back as soon as it's possible. We're in this together. Let's make the next chapter another exciting one."
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