A football club has been bought by fans on a soccer website, reports the Mirror.

The 20,000 members of MyFootballClub.com have each paid £35 to buy a 51 per cent controlling stake in Ebbsfleet Utd for £700,000.

It is the first time a professional club has been taken over by the public.

Formerly known as Gravesend and Northfleet, they are currently ninth in the Blue Square Premier League, and six points from a chance to play for a place in the Football League.

MyFootballClub members will be able to vote on player selection, transfers and all other major decisions.

Website creator Will Brooks said: "We hope members and supporters will join forces and make the football club more sustainable and successful."

Ebbsfleet midfielder Stacey Long said: "Fans of every club have always been vocal about what they want to see done at the club.

"Now our fans have the chance to put it into practice. It will be good for us as a club because it will give us a bigger budget to buy better players and improve our training ground."

Once the takeover is complete, the current board will keep their jobs.

Manager Liam Daish's title will change to head coach. He maintains he is happy for fans to have an input on team matters.

Daish said: "Ebbsfleet supporters often give me their opinion on which players should or shouldn't start games. Now they can have their say.

"But just as before, what goes on at the training ground and in the dressing room on the day of the match is down to me."