TOMORROW night marks an emotional milestone in the remarkable history of VCD Athletic.

The club's Oakwood home on Old Road, Crayford, has been without first team football for eight years after the club were forced to abandon its spiritual home in 1998.

But with tomorrow's visit of Croydon for a Kent Football League Premier Division fixture, that is about to change.

The ground, which fell into disrepair and became a blot on the Crayford landscape, has undergone a huge makeover and tomorrow night marks its return from the grave.

Make a note - Thursday, September 28, 2006, 7.45pm. Take the chance to be able to say I was there when VCD came home'.

Boss Martin Ford, who has been with the club since 1993, said: "We have been away from the ground for eight years.

"There has been a lot of worry along a long road to get VCD playing back at Crayford.

"The club has done fantastically well to survive over the years and we're asking for people to come out and support us.

"We're hoping people will come along and have a look at us and then make their own judgements about what standard we are and just how good our team is.

"We're confident this year we have a side which is capable of promotion so we just need the backing of the community and fan base to support us."

Work totalling £150,000 has been carried out on Oakwood upgrading and rebuilding -£100,000 of the cash came from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund while fundraising and sponsorship has met the balance.

But behind the eye-watering costs there has been non-stop work to get everything ready for the big return.

Speaking last week Ford said: "We're off to the ground now to get everything ready so when everyone turns up they will like their first impressions of the ground.

"It is all hands to the deck at the moment as we're finishing the new kitchen area inside the gate. The turnstiles are to be built over the weekend and the pitch needs a final cut.

"We just want to get through Saturday's game and look forward to Thursday."

VCD lie 8th in the Kent League table after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Hythe Town but Ford is a firm believer promotion is within their grasp although he more than recognises the part fans play.

He said: "It comes down to finances, the more people you get through the turnstiles, the more money it generates, the more professional we can be, the better players we can attract.

"Hopefully we can have a team with a local identity which the area is proud of.

"Because the ground is now on people's doorsteps and they get the local papers, they can read about VCD and say I would not mind going to watch them on Saturday'."

He added: "We have about 100 hardcore fans who turn up every week but we're trying to get the floating supporter who may bring someone else along with them, see what they like and hopefully come back."

The club will be holding an official opening day at the end of November when they are hoping to attract a Tottenham Hotspur XI side.

As regards the team, fans will be pleased to know Danny Edwards is out of hospital and recovering at home after his horror leg-break last week.

The defender, who will be in plaster for six weeks, broke his fibular in four places and dislocated his ankle against Beckenham.

Ford said: "Danny is in good spirits. He knows it is going to be a long road to recovery but hopefully after six weeks the rehabilitation can start."