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The team is Conference side Ebbsfleet United and the community of new owners has been built up on a unique website called myfootball.co.uk

The website was set up with the stated aim of taking over a football club and allowing the members of the site to vote on team selection, player transfers and on all major club decisions.

Within 11 weeks, 20,000 fans had stumped up the £35 membership fee, raising over £700,000 for a takeover bid.

The "MyFootballClub Trust" was approached by nine football club owners and also approached several others themselves, before finally deciding on Kent club Ebbsfleet United, who currently lie ninth in the Conference, which leaves them in contention for promotion to the Football League this season.

The side, managed by former Republic of Ireland international Liam Daish, often struggle to draw crowds of 1,000 but now have a whole new fan-base to call their own.

The deal is expected to be completed in a few weeks after a due diligence process and the website will purchase a 51% controlling stake, while also having the option to buy the club outright in the future.

The initial down payment is said to be quite small, which will open up funds to the club in the January transfer window, with the MyFootballClub website members voting on potential transfer targets.

Daish has seen his title changed from manager to head coach. His new job will be to "brief members".

This will include a review of the previous match, reports from the training ground and views on the forthcoming opposition. He will also give his thoughts on players, their form and fitness, as well as possible selections and tactics.

Members will then submit their preferred 11, formation and tactics. A database will calculate the most popular choice. This will be handed to Daish to instigate

However, despite the fact that team selection has now been taken out of his hands, Daish says he is in complete support of the takeover.

"Everyone has worked wonders to get this club in the top half of the Conference. We all agree the club needs something extra to take it to the next step," he said.

"As a football fan, I think the MyFootballClub idea is fantastic. And as the coach, I'm look forward to the challenge of working with thousands of members to produce a winning team.

"Picking elevens and formations isn't a precise science, and luck often plays its part. I believe a strong dressing room and 11 who want to perform are just as important. And I'll continue to make sure that happens.

"During and after matches, Ebbsfleet supporters often give me their opinion on which players should or shouldn't start games. Now they can have their say."

Club chairman Jason Botley echoed Daish's opinion that the move will help the club move to the next level.

"The Board, Liam Daish and his coaching staff, club employees and myself are united in believing this is a great opportunity for Ebbsfleet United. This extra finance and support will enable our club to progress," he said.

Up until now, members of the website have had no idea about which clubs they were negotiating with, but the news that Ebbsfleet United have signed up to the project is expected to lead to an influx of new members which will help swell the clubs coffers even further.

"Nine football clubs approached MyFootballClub and we believe that Ebbsfleet United is the perfect choice," said Will Brooks, one of founding members of the website.

"We hope that MyFootballClub members and Ebbsfleet United supporters will join forces and make the football club more sustainable and successful."

Seán Fay / Eurosport