DARTFORD Football Club's 14-years of exile will come to an end on November 11.

The news which all Darts fans have been waiting for was announced last week sparking a weekend of celebration and, moreover, excited speculation of just how good life at the new Princes Park is going to be.

Darts, who at the time of going to press are fifth in the Ryman League Division One South, will entertain Horsham YMCA in the stadium's inaugural game.

It will almost be a year to the day after work first started on the site following a special ceremony on November 14.

And although the original opening date was September 23 it has not turned into a debacle along the same lines as Wembley.

The club's co-chairman Bill Archer said: "The game on November 11 is much more than just a football match, it's a brand new era in Dartford FC's history and the day when the club can return home with our heads held high.

"It's all credit to Dartford Borough Council for looking at the future and being adventurous.

"Princes Park is a stunning stadium for us to play in and we hope to attract as many people from the town as possible to watch us play."

He added: "We've been looking forward to this moment for more than a decade and I'm sure the return will be emotional for the team, club and fans."

Team manager Tony Burman said: "The stadium has been built by the council for the club and community.

"Hopefully people will come and watch the games and enjoy their afternoons here.

"You cannot fully appreciate the size of it until you're inside and see how vast it is going to be."

Dartford were made homeless in 1992 after losing their Watling Street to pay off creditors.

Since then the team have lived a nomadic existence groundsharing with a number of clubs including, up to the end of last season, Gravesend and Northfleet, and from the beginning of this campaign at Thurrock in Purfleet.

Princes Park has been acclaimed as one of the finest stadiums in non-league football because of its sports facilities, ecological advances and hospitality features as well as being a covered 4,100 capacity theatre of dreams.

However, aside from the facilities on offer, the return to their rightful home is going to be an emotional occasion.

Dartford Council, who funded the £6.5m building work, is planning a series of events and celebrations to make the day an event for the whole family.

Council leader Jeremy Kite said: "It's no secret we wanted to open the stadium as soon as possible.

"Princes Park is simply the finest stadium in non-league football and we want the experience to be right from the moment the first fan comes through the turnstiles."

Tickets for the special day go on sale at the end of September and anyone wanting to be first into the stadium can pre-register at princespark.co.uk