Sittingbourne appeal for financial help to assist with pitch improvements

Sittingbourne official, Mrs Tania Spice, has revealed that the pitch at Bourne Park was verti-drained last weekend but also explained that the Ryman League Division One South club “scrape by” thanks to a band of loyal volunteers, writes Stephen McCartney.

Sittingbourne have been on the receiving end of severe criticism during the winter months as games have been postponed due to waterlogged pitches - and the club has endured problems with their floodlights.

“The pitch was verti-drained by a company that maintain a number of pitches at clubs way higher than our level last Sunday and it is proposed that they come again in four to six weeks,” Mrs Spice told www.sittingbournefc.co.uk.

“They have also given us a price for a maintenance contract on the ground so if anyone out there feels like donating in excess of ten thousand pounds, please feel free.

“It may also surprise a number of you to hear that, taking into account the excessive rain that we had after a particularly dry summer and autumn, the company felt that the pitch was in pretty good nick.

“However, there is always room for improvement, so bearing in mind that virtually everyone that works on the pitch, and believe it or not, there are a few, is a volunteer or a supporter, there is nothing to stop anyone else coming down to give a hand.”

Mrs Spice explained the process in having the pitch verti-drained.

She said: “My very basic understanding is that the pitch is drilled all over at four-six inch intervals, which breaks up the soil underneath, therefore allowing better drainage.

“Apparently, over the years the pitch has become compacted, which is why we are having problems this year.

“If you think back over the last few seasons we have lost very few fixtures to waterlogged pitches and I would also point out that we haven’t been the only club to have games cancelled the year. According to the company brought in, the makeup of the pitch is fine.”

Mrs Spice, the wife of the Brickies’ chairman Andy, revealed that the club are “scraping by” thanks to the efforts of their loyal band of helpers as they battle to make ends meet on average gates of 249.

She said: “Our electricity bill for November was £1,021.44, for December is was £1,047.24, and that’s without our rent, our water charges, rates, insurance, the share of Maidstone United’s rent that we also have to pay to Cearnsport, pitch maintenance, repairs to floodlights and other ground maintenance.

“We are not a big club, our gate receipts rarely top £1,000 but we scrape by mainly because our club is run by volunteers. We pay no wages other than to the players.

Meanwhile, Sittingbourne travel to Kingstonian tomorrow before they face a lucrative Kent derby against Dartford at Bourne Park seven days later.

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