Sittingbourne in groundshare talks with Norton Sports - reveals Abbott

Saturday 13th June 2009

GARY ABBOTT’S preparations for the new season have been boosted with news that three key players have decided to stay at Sittingbourne, writes Stephen McCartney.

Central defensive rock, Matt Bourne, holding midfielder Rio Alderton and striker Tom Bradbrook have all decided to stay at Bourne Park next season.

But goalkeeper Matt Reed has decided to leave the club and striker Ellie Kayembe has not yet decided whether he wants to remain as third-choice striker behind Richard Brady (who scored 19 goals last season) and his fourteen-goal partner Tom Bradbrook.

“Obviously that’s the main core of the side really, straight down the middle,” manager Abbott told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It’s nice I’ve sorted it out with Tom Bradbrook, he’s staying. I’ve sorted it out with Bourney, because a couple of clubs were talking to him and in the end we’ve tried to give him what we could really and he’s decided that he wants to stay so it’s all good from that three.

“But everyone’s staying, the only one, Matt Reed, I think he’s going. He’s got an agent, I just want to let him get on with it. He’s said he doesn’t want to be with us, so I’ve got another keeper coming down.

“I’m waiting for Ellie, if he decides to move on, I’ll move on anyway, so it’s not too bad really, I only lose the one.”

Abbott knew about Mark De Bolla’s departure to America (for business commitments) before the end of last season.

“I’ve got a couple of things I’m working on,” Abbott said. “I’m speaking to a couple of players coming down pre-season, a right-sided midfield player, another right-back coming down, and a centre half.

“I’ve had so many people ring me up to come down. I’m not going to turn them away because you never know what you’re going to get.”

But the biggest departure form Bourne Park this summer is that of Maidstone United, who have secured a three-year groundshare deal at Ashford Town.

But Abbott revealed the club are in negotiations with Norton Sports about them playing their second season at Kent League level at Bourne Park, having spent last year at Herne Bay.

“I think Norton might be coming in with us, that’s the reason behind the Norton game, that’s not 100%, but 50-50,” revealed Abbott.

Speaking about the Stones ending their seven-year groundshare deal at Bourne Park, Abbott added: “It’s going to affect us now they’ve gone to Ashford. They were getting three-four hundred people, Norton won’t be like that, but it’s only 50-50.”

Abbott revealed he will be playing trialists in their friendly against Norton Sports on 11th July - the Brickies will return to pre-season training seven days earlier and will go into their first game with four training sessions under their belt.

Having finished in sixth place in the Ryman League Division One South table last season - just six points outside of the play-off’s - Abbott spoke about next season’s targets.

“I want to progress and I know the players want to do that as well,” he said.

“It’s nice to keep all the team together and that will hopefully keep us stronger for next year. There’s nothing worse than to replace six or seven player and gel them together. It will be nice to start with the team I finished with.

“It (the division) will be stronger with Ramsgate coming down and Croydon (Athletic) got a lot of money flying about.

“I want to progress but if I want to do that I want to get into the play-off’s. I’ve not been told to get into the play-off’s, but that’s just me personally.

“I want to push on and get further, obviously I want to win it but the minimum is the play-off’s.”

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