Sittingbourne search for new backers as chairman steps down

Wednesday 27th May 2009

ANDY SPICE has today stepped down as the chairman of cash-strapped Sittingbourne - as the current economic climate bites yet another Kent football club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Mr Spice, speaking in his statement posted on the fans' forum at www.sittingbournefc.co.uk, insists next season is a "make or break" year for the club.

But he says he will not leave the Ryman League Division One South club just let - he will part company by Christmas 2009, by which time he hopes a new financial backer will be found.

"This is something that I have been considering for the past couple of seasons but although I had notified the rest of the committee of my intentions, I never quite made it official – until now," said Mr Spice.

"I do not intend to walk away immediately but would like to see someone else take the helm in the very near future and definitely by Christmas 2009."

Mr Spice explained his reasons behind his decision to stand down after ten years in charge.

"The building company that I am involved in has grown over the last 10 years and in today’s financial climate I need to make the business one of my first priorities, I have not been able to devote the time to the Club that I once did," he said.

"I moved out of Sittingbourne two years ago – which means that I no longer live five minutes from the ground and this and the reason above mean that I have had to rely heavily on other volunteers to cover my absence.

"I am not as young or as fit as I once was!! And no matter how hard I try I cannot do all the things that I used to be able to do in a day, a week or a month!

"My family have grown up and now have families of their own – I would like to spend more time with them, before I become too old to be fun, or before THEY become too old to want to play with their old granddad! My own parents are not as young as they used to be – I would like to spend more time with them and I would like to spend more time with (wife) Tania in our new home.

"I feel that I have taken the Club as far as I can. Unfortunately I do not have limitless funds, or time or energy. Despite the fact that I have not achieved everything that I would have liked, I am proud that I have played a major part in keeping the Club going over the last ten years."

When Mr Spice first took over the club, the debts had mounted to over £200,000 and were made up of unpaid players wages, a debt to the Inland Revenue (unpaid tax) and HM Customs (VAT).

And he added: "I will not deny that we will be carrying over a debt into the next season but am pleased to say that it is a small fraction of this original sum and that none of the abovementioned are owed any money!

"I would like to leave the Club totally debt free and would therefore ask you to support any fundraising schemes over the next few months.

"I do sincerely believe that it is time to hand over to someone new, someone with new enthusiasm and ideas, someone with new contacts, you can only ask favours of friends and associates, so many times.

"I am sure that there is someone out there who will be able to carry on what I have started and take the Club onwards and upwards to the success that the supporters, who have stuck by us for so many years, deserve."

Mr Spice was quick to explain the situation with Maidstone United, who are expected to unveil a new groundshare deal with a local Ryman League Division One South club soon.

He said: "I would also like to clarify a few points with regard to the fact that Maidstone have decided not to renew their ground share agreement with us.

"We have not parted on bad terms and I would also at this point confirm that all monies owed in respect of rent have been paid but unfortunately it was not possible to reach an agreement with regard to terms for the next three years.

"We at Sittingbourne were happy to continue on previous terms, which have remained the same since day one of our original agreement, despite the fact that our own rent is increased on a yearly basis, despite the fact that our Council rates have tripled in this time and despite the fact that our electricity and water bills have doubled in the last few years.

"However, the offer on the table from Maidstone included a 24% reduction in their rent, payment to them of 40% of the bar and food takings on Maidstone match days, an increase in their use of the ground to include first team training sessions and their U.18’s games and training.

"Our own agreement as tenants includes a condition that we pay almost half of any rent from any sublet, (on top of our own rent) to our Landlord and when you consider that our electricity bill alone, for the last year, was in excess of £13K, it is obvious that to allow Maidstone to continue on their terms (i.e. less rent - more costs) would be suicidal, we struggle to make ends meet as it is.

"We did offer to negotiate but the deal from Maidstone was that we agreed to all of their conditions or they would go elsewhere.

"It would seem very likely that a deal has already been made with another Club who can agree to such conditions because their overheads are considerably less than our own.

"However, as I said before we did not part on bad terms and I sincerely wish everyone at Maidstone FC all the best and hope that they will return to their hometown some time in the very near future.

"I got on very well with most of their supporters and admire (and envy) the fact that Maidstone had more supporters attend their ‘home’ games at Bourne Park, than we get when Sittingbourne are themselves playing at home.

"If any Maidstone supporters ever suffer ‘withdrawal’ symptoms from Bourne Park, (the ground that they love to hate), there will always be a warm welcome from me!

Mr Spice insisted that manager Gary Abbott and his player-assistant Richard Brady - the club's leading goalscorer last season - have decided to stay at Bourne Park next season.

"I am delighted that our management team from last season, Gary Abbott (Abbo) and sidekick Richard Brady are to remain with us and I am sure that they will do everything within their power (and their budget!) to improve even further on their finishing position of last season," said Mr Spice.

The chairman, who thanked the club's landlord for his assistance over the years, issued a rallying cry for all supporters and local businesses to help the club financially.

"I would like to thank our Landlord Roger Cearns for his patience over the last ten years, especially this year when payments have been very delayed," said Mr Spice.

"We at Sittingbourne Football Club have a very good relationship with Roger and I am sure that my successor whoever it maybe will also find him very approachable and cooperative.

"I am looking forward to the coming season as I feel that with a bit of luck we can continue where we left off. I would like to leave the club in as good a position as possible both on the pitch and financially.

"It is not intended to raise our entry prices this year – but we need to raise as much revenue as possible in order that Abbo can have a ‘reasonable’ budget with which to strengthen the squad and so that we can pay all our creditors.

"We will do our bit to try and raise the profile of the Club over the coming weeks but ask that you the supporter do your bit too, supporting us wherever possible by attending functions, buying a programme or a golden goal ticket.

"Over the years a lot of money has been generated by the Brickies lottery but this has diminished greatly over the last couple of years. For a £1 a week, not only could you help the Club but you also stand five chances a week of winning what is at present approx £50 a time and this would rise as the number of members increase.

"We are open to all suggestions – maybe you have always had a hankering to be a Chairman of a Football Club, or perhaps you would like to join the Committee, we need new blood, we need new support, we need new sponsors, this year could be the ‘make or break ‘ for the Sittingbourne FC."

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