Waltham Forest Football Club is coming home after five years in exile.

The club were forced to leave the borough after the owners of Wadham Lodge chose not renew its lease in 2008.

The club estimates it suffered a 50% drop in supporters while having to play out in Ilford, with even diehard fans put off by having to get three buses to a home match.

Both the club and Wadham Lodge are now under different management and a deal has been struck on a five-year lease for the club back on home turf.

Tony Brazier, 64, Club Secretary for the last four years, is hoping the return home will bring old fans back to the club, along with some new ones.

He said: “I think it will do the club no end of good. We were very grateful to Ilford for letting us stay there for five years otherwise we would’ve gone out of existence but we were living hand to mouth.

“Now we’re back at Walthamstow we’ll attract more local businesses to help us develop the club in the community.”

Former managers and dignitaries will be invited to the team's first competitive home match on August 10th against VCD Athletic FC.

The club is producing a commemorative programme for the occasion to celebrate their 18 year history and the homecoming.

And a new under-21s team is just the start of the club's plans for youth development.

Mr Brazier said: “In the fullness of time we want to develop our own academy youth structure.

“Our aim is to get promotion but if we can develop younger players that’s all part of our role in the community.”

The club are determined to stay put in the borough for good now, either at Wadham Lodge, or at their own ground in the future.