Spice opts for move to Kent rivals

ALTHOUGH disappointed that her son Bradley has left Sittingbourne, Tania Spice understands why the striker has joined their Ryman League Division One South rivals Ashford Town, writes Stephen McCartney.

Spice has been re-united with former Sittingbourne boss Steve Lovell at The Homelands and teams up with many former Brickies’ at a club that is vying for promotion into the Ryman Premier League at the end of this season.

Sittingbourne and their manager Gary Abbott have this week unveiled a list of players that remain at Bourne Park this season.

But Spice, Lee Spiller (Folkestone Invicta), Paul Ainsworth (Whitstable Town) and Josh Willis (Eastbourne Borough) and Joe Dowley (Ramsgate) have moved elsewhere.

Steve Williams, Chris Lewington, Ryan Andrews, Billy Manners, Ian Varley, Dave Milton, Ben Williams, Hicham Akhazzan, Colin Richmond, Tarik Ozreswberoglu, Richard Brady, Brian Glover and Pat Gradley, who will captain the side, remain.

Striker Tom Bradbrook joins from Ryman Premier League side Dartford and new arrivals include Billy Warner, Mark Newerson and Joe Horlock.

Sittingbourne spokesperson, Mrs Tania Spice, admits the club cannot compete with Ashford Town’s financial muscle.

“We are disappointed that Bradley isn’t staying, just as we were that Joe (Dowley) and Paul (Ainsworth) chose not to sign for us again this year,” she told the fans’ forum at www.sittingbournefc.co.uk.

“I do like watching him (Bradley Spice) play - I have done since he was about eight.

“Yes, he has gone to a side that is paying more money but at the end of the day he is like everyone else and with a baby on the way and hoping to move from a flat to a house, who wouldn’t accept more money and a contract?”

Mrs Spice did reveal that Ashford Town manager Steve Lovell did go through official lines before snapping up the striker, who netted 15 goals last term.

She said: “Lovell must rate him quite highly because he came in for him knowing that he was likely to get some stick for enticing away another one of our players. I would add though that Steve did the courtesy to speak to (chairman) Andy (Spice) first.”

Mrs Spice, meanwhile, added manager Gary Abbott’s hands are tied as Sittingbourne cannot compete with the likes of their Kent rivals.

“I do not doubt Abbo’s ability to bring in players but without more support we are unable to match the wages offered by some clubs in the League,” she said.

“I know that money does not make a good player any better but the facts of life are that the better players usually cost more.

“To be honest we have been really fortunate over the years to keep the calibre of players that we did have at the money we were paying.

“It is a massive struggle to keep this club afloat, ask any committee member. We have a good core of support but we need more this coming season, so please bring a friend!”

On the other side of the coin, Ashford Town’s co-owner, Mr Don Crosbie has this week unveiled the players that have officially signed contracts for the season ahead.

“There are currently 12 trialists that are seeking five places up for grabs and as soon as Steve (Lovell) has committed himself I will have the full squad (announced),” Mr Crosbie told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk.

Those contracted players are; Jimmy Bottle, Ryan Briggs, Anthony Browne, Jimmy Elford, Charlie Glyde, Lee Hockey, Anthony Hogg, James Humphrey, Paul Jones, Mark Lovell, Danny Lye, Sean Ray, Jamie Riley and Mitchell Sherwood.

Mr Crosbie added that four of the club’s existing reserve team players have signed non-contracted terms, including highly-rated striker Scott Bouvier.

Sittingbourne open their pre-season campaign with a visit of Blue Square South side Welling United to Bourne Park on Thursday evening (7:45pm), before playing Erith & Belvedere at Park View Road, Welling, on Saturday (3pm).

Ashford Town, meanwhile, have to wait just a little bit longer for their first warm-up game, at Kent League side Hythe Town on Tuesday, 22^nd July.

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk

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