Sittingbourne meet with Council to discuss their future

Thursday 22nd March 2007

The future of cash-strapped Ryman League Division One South club Sittingbourne will be discussed at a meeting at Swale Borough Council at the end of this month, writes Stephen McCartney.

A meeting at the Sittingbourne & Swale West Area Forum will be held in the Council Chamber, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne next Tuesday, 27^th March.

And item five on the agenda is to “discuss the future of Sittingbourne Football Club with representatives from the club.”

Club spokeswoman Tania Spice explained the situation.

She told www.sittingbournefc.co.uk: “I was approached at work last week and asked if (chairman) Andy Spice would like to come along to the meeting with two or three others to discuss Sittingbourne FC and ways in which the Council may be able to help.

“I believe it was Roger Truelove who may have investigated the invitation.

“However, a couple of days later this had changed and I was informed that the Council did not want an open discussion as matters such as land and property would probably arise, which the officers would not be able to answer.

“So they have now requested that Sittingbourne Football Club make a short presentation on the future of the club – difficult really when we don’t know whether or not we have a future.”

Meanwhile, Ryman Premier League club Margate are delighted to confirm that Phase 1 of the proposed redevelopment of Hartsdown Park can now proceed.

Phase 1 delivers the Community elements of the Scheme, consisting of their new five-a-side Centre.

Work is due to start on site in this April/May with completion due before the start of next season.

A club statement on their website www.margate-fc.com said: “The club would like to thank the Council for the support we have received and Council Leader, Sandy Ezekiel will be attending a presentation evening to be held in the social club on Friday (23^rd March) at 7pm, when he will address both local residents and supporters.”

Both clubs, however, are at home on Saturday with Sittingbourne welcoming arch-rivals Chatham Town to Bourne Park, whilst Margate, fresh from their midweek home 5-1 success over Leyton, play host to Heybridge Swifts at Hartsdown Park. Both games start at the usual time of 3pm.

Visit club websites:

www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

www.margate-fc.com