MARGATE'S Independent Supporters Club will be holding an open meeting at Hartsdown Park tonight (Thursday) boosted by the news that the club is set to survive.

Stadium consultant Keith Piper and director Colin Page will be there to answer questions from the fans who feared the club was about to fold a week ago. The meeting starts at 7.30pm.

The lease offer has been received in writing from Thanet District Council and is now in the hands of the developers' legal team.

Supporters vice chairman Tom McKenna who has followed the club for over 50 years said: "We hope as many people turn up as possible. Everyone is now very positive about the future because, up until four o'clock last Friday, we thought the club was about to go."

The supporters have already refurbished the social club, but it will be pulled down once the rebuilding programme finally starts.

An offer of a ten-lease was made at the meeting involving representatives of the club, the supporters, councillors and council officers. The Football Conference has confirmed this offer would be acceptable.

The new scheme includes rebuilt stands, newly-laid playing surface, a five-a-side-pitch, Astroturf surface, a banqueting suite, a hotel and other leisure and commercial activities.