Glebe chairman Rocky McMillan reveals plans for a £1.25m, 1,800 capacity state-of-the-art-stadium at Foxbury Avenue

GLEBE chairman Rocky McMillan says he is not putting any pressure on joint-managers Craig Nelson and Danny Oakins in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division title race.

The Foxes are without a game tomorrow and welcome Ajay Ashanike’s Fisher to Foxbury Avenue next Tuesday, before welcoming Sammy Moore’s big-hitters Faversham Town on Saturday 16 December.

Faversham Town are top with 38 points from 18 games, but getting out of this tier-nine division is not as easy as the Salters Lane outfit thought it would be.

Glebe are in second-place on 37 points from 18 games, Whitstable Town are third on 35 points from 18 games, Erith Town are next with 33 points but with a game in hand, while Deal Town have picked up 32 points and have three games in hand.

Further down the table, 12^th placed Lydd Town have got four games in hand on the top three and have 21 points and could join the play-off picture if James Rogers’ men win their games in hand.

Glebe have unveiled the arrival of former Beckenham Town winger Jargal Enkh and winger Jason Banton, 30, has arrived from Essex Senior League side Hullbridge Sports this week.

“We moved a little earlier than anticipated but also have to move when the right personnel become available and want to join you,” said McMillan, who also brought in centre-half Jamie Coyle, 40, a few weeks ago following his departure from Erith & Belvedere, who like Beckenham Town are fighting to avoid relegation in the Isthmian League South East Division.

“I’ve not put any pressure on my management team – and nothing changes with these incredible signings.

“We’re delighted to be in the mix at the moment. We can’t compete with quite a few club's budget’s this season but there’s a real great feeling around the place.  It’s definitely one of the best changing rooms we’ve had at the club in recent years.

“As chairman, I don’t make broken promises, as you will never keep or attract experienced pros with talk.  I’ve got a management team that all pull together at the end of the week.

“Naturally, we want to finish as high as our ability allows.  I keep saying to the management team and squad, relax, enjoy your time at the club and at the end of the day, what will be, will be.”

Working alongside Nelson and Oakins at the Chislehurst-based club are first-team coaches Aaron Fray, Tom Jewers, Frankie Sawyer, Sheikh Ceesay and Joe Ford (head of recruitment).

Anwar Uddin MBE is the club’s executive director advisor to management and Grace McMillan is working tremendously hard on plans to turn Foxbury Avenue into an 1,800 capacity stadium, costing approximately £1.25m.

“Planning has been submitted with Bromley Council for a state-of-the-art 3G upgraded stadium,” said Rocky McMillan, who confirmed the new facility will be built on the same site as the current stadium.

“There are plenty of hurdles to overcome but if we can pull it off, it will be an incredible place to play football.

“It will be a Step Three (Isthmian League Premier Division) stadium, UEFA standard 3G playing surface, as backed by the Football Foundation and Premier League, improved covered access and walkways from the changing rooms and extended walkways from the car park.

“It will be a community based venue to include grass roots teams, ladies, disability programme, various faith groups.

“It will become a hub for many people bringing their love of our national sport together.

“The executive team led by my wife Grace are working tremendously hard on this wonderful project.”

The McMillan’s founded the club as Glebe Globetrotters in 1995 and were based in West Wickham.

They created a men's first-team and joined the Kent Invicta League in 2013-14 and secured a groundshare deal to play at Bromley-based side Holmesdale, before moving to their current Foxbury Avenue ground in Chislehurst in July 2015 - the former ground of Old Elthamians Rugby Club.

The club is renowned for having an excellent youth system for boys and girls and has produced many professional footballers.  Emile Smith Rowe, 23, played in Glebe’s youth sides before joining Arsenal at the age of 10 and has made over 100 appearances for the Premier League outfit.

Glebe have never played in the Isthmian League, while Faversham Town were relegated from the Isthmian League South East Division last season and are spending around £400,000 (this season) to get out of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division at the first attempt.

It's the largest budget that any club has ever had in the history of the Kent League/Southern Counties East Football League.

Erith & Belvedere claimed the league title by one point last season - with a budget of £2,500 per week.