The club has moved on quite a bit in the last 10 years, says FC Elmstead chairman Tony Alliband

FC Emstead chairman Tony Alliband has unveiled plans to build a new clubhouse at their Chislehurst-based ground.

The chairman says he is searching for local funding partners to help raise the funds for the project at Chislehurst Recreation Ground.

 “The project will cost in the region of £250,000-£300,000,” said Mr Alliband.

 “The new facilities will incorporate first class changing facilities, a new club room/hall, storage area and a café.

“The club is looking to progress and the new facilities will enable us to generate a much better income of monies.”

Players’ like Colin Foster, who went on to play for Leyton Orient, Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough, West Ham United and Watford, Joe Dolan (Millwall), Micky Paye (Charlton Athletic and is now the assistant manager at Ryman Premier League side Cray Wanderers) and Lee Martin (Manchester United) have all featured in the club’s youth ranks in the past.   

“The club has moved on quite a bit in the last 10 years although we have been going since the late 50’s, said Mr Alliband.

“We now have junior teams at almost every age group, a Saturday soccer school, two adult men’s sides and a further adult team in the Kent County League.

“During the summer we had £100,000 spent on new drainage and levelling work on our pitches. When the clubhouse is built we will have some of the best facilities in the local area.

“The project will require funding partners so if there are any interested businesses in the local area please get in touch at fcelmstead@aol.co.uk.”
 
FC Elmstead presently play their Haart of Kent County League home games at Coney Hall’s Tiepigs Lane ground and are managed by former Holmesdale boss Fabio Rossi.

The club are playing their inaugural campaign in the Haart of Kent County League and are presently in second-place in Division Three West with 17 points from nine games, four points behind leaders Hildenborough Athletic reserves, who they play away from home on Saturday.

“The club is going well this season,” said Rossi. 

“The Kent County League Saturday side have started well and are hopeful of gaining promotion as well as still being in both cup competitions. 

“In the New Year we face Erith 147 in the Hospital Charity Cup and this will be a good measure of just how far we have come or need to go in the few short months we have been together.

“Both our men’s Sunday sides (first and reserves) lead their respective divisions of the Metropolitan Sunday League.

“Our junior sides continue to develop and learn the art of football. 

“All in, as a club we are in pretty good shape. Financially we are sound and we don’t owe anyone a penny. Our soccer school continues to thrive and we have just received a £8,000 lottery grant to put our coaches in the five most local schools to our home in Chislehurst. 

“FC Elmstead is making steady progress.”

 Visit FC Elmstead’s website: www.fcelmstead.co.uk/club/Home