Cash-strapped Sittingbourne face fight to keep their best players

SITTINGBOURNE officials are trying to keep their skipper Joe Dowley at the club after the defender was offered a lucrative deal by a higher league club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Club secretary Mr John Pitts told www. Over the weekend that the club needs to attract gates of over 300 to break even.

And spokesperson Mrs Tania Spice, speaking on the fans’ forum at www.sittingbournefc.co.uk, revealed that Dowley and her son, Bradley are pondering moves from the Ryman League Division One South club.

If striker Spice does leave it won’t be the only time that he has left Bourne Park as he spent a season at Dover Athletic the one before last.

But Mrs Spice admitted that the Bourne Park outfit are looking for monetary assistance to keep their highly-rated players.

“Joe and Brad have been approached by higher level clubs,” she said.

“Joe has received a definite offer and is meeting with the manager of that club and Brad has been invited along to pre-season training for a trial with a Conference South club.

“Apart from the chance of playing a higher level, Joe has been made a good money offer which we cannot match but obviously we would like to increase the amount that he is paid by Sittingbourne at the moment.

“Any ideas as to how that extra money could be funded, anyone or any group of people willing to sponsor him for that extra amount per week.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk