The move to Woodstock will breathe new life into the club, says Sittingbourne chairman Andy Spice

The Brickies have decided to leave Bourne Park after eleven years due to rising costs and have entered into a partnership with Woodstock Sports and Social Club at Broadoak Road in rural Sittingbourne.

The club attracted their second largest home attendance of the season when 261 flocked through the turnstiles to watch their last game at Bourne Park – against Ramsgate yesterday.

Their largest attendance was when 618 fans watched Sittingbourne’s 2-1 home win over former tenants Maidstone United on 30 March.

A total of 3,818 fans have watched 23 league and cup games at Bourne Park this season, averaging out at 166.

Mr Spice issued a statement in his programme notes for yesterday’s game and expressed his feelings about the move and the season in general.

He said: “The last game of the season. Our last game at Bourne Park.

“The end of one chapter and the beginning of another in the history of Sittingbourne Football Club.

“My view of the season? Not bad at all. Definitely the most successful in recent years, definitely better than promised.

“The spirit and determination of the team this season has been great and that’s down to the dynamic combination of Jim and Danny Ward.  Their knowledge and experience of non-league football has been just what we needed and has kept us in the top quarter of the table for the majority of the season and I congratulate them and the team for their achievement under difficult circumstances.

“My biggest regret this season has been that the efforts of both management and the team have not been rewarded by bigger match attendances and I thank those of you that have turned out week after week, paid your entry, bought a programme, a golden goal ticket and a pint thereby contributing to the continuation of the club.

“My thoughts on our move from Bourne Park?  Whilst I look forward to working with Maurice Dunk and his team at Woodstock, I cannot pretend that I am 100% happy to be moving.  I believe it to be unfortunate to put it mildly, that when the council reposed the Stadium, subsequently leasing it to Cearnsport, they chose not to help or protect the Football Club in any way, despite the fact that they had acquired the 12 acre side for considerably less than its market value at the time.

“It may seem wrong to walk away, considering that the Stadium was originally built with money from Sittingbourne Football Club, however, although a group of dedicated volunteers have worked tirelessly for the past thirteen years or so, we finally have to admit defeat.

“We all know that the majority of clubs at our level are struggling with rising costs and dwindling gates but the terms of our Agreement mean that our costs are substantially more than others.  The Agreement that ended last year and was extended for a further year until 30 June this year.

“Although Cearnsport (our landlord) was willing to discuss another lease on similar terms we have to face reality and admit that we are never going to make ends meet if we stay at Bourne Park. Hence the move – not that this will solve all our problems.  Our costs will be less, but then based on present figures, so will our income.

“We need to improve income in order just to maintain present ‘part reimbursement of player’s expenses.  If we want to increase what can be offered to players we need to improve income levels considerably. 

“The hope is that the move and combination with Woodstock will breathe new life into the club, improve the commercial side and revive enthusiasm and interest in Sittingbourne Football Club and ensure its future for years to come.

“So I shall be sad as I leave Bourne Park for the last time. The commitment, determination and hard work of a group of volunteers transformed run down training facilities into a perfectly accepted ground at Ryman League levels. It may not have been the grandest ground in the league and certainly didn’t live up to Central Park Stadium and the grandiose plans of the previous management committee but I am proud of what was achieved.”

Sittingbourne’s secretary, John Pitts added: “Just over ten years ago we moved down to what was the training pitch attached to Central Park Stadium. In a few months during the closed season, we managed to get the surroundings up to what is now Grade D.  That we were still in existence after disastrous financial dealings by the old Sittingbourne FC committee was solely down to Andy and Tania Spice.  Their commitment and no small financial input kept the club afloat.

“Unfortunately due to the high expense in rent and upkeep of Bourne Park it has been very difficult to be competitive against teams whose financial outgoings have been far less than ours.

“Also, many of the facilities at Bourne Park are showing signs of aging. The components in the floodlights, for example, are obsolete. Replacements have to be near matches as the original specification items are no longer manufactured. The solution, of course, is to replace them. The cost, however, would be around the £20,000 to £40,000 mark.  Many other parts of the stadium are also aging.  All of this made the committee look for a solution that would keep a club funded in 1886 going.

“The lease on Bourne Park was up last May, however, this was extended by one year to give us time to decide the future. During the last year, it was decided that the only solution was to close down or enter into a ground share.

“The reality has been much better than either solution.  Discussions were entered into with Maurice Dunk and the committee of Woodstock Sports and Social Club.  They were extremely interested in not only assisting interested in not only assisting Sittingbourne Football Club but helping it to progress.

“To this end we have entered into a partnership with them.  This partnership will ensure the future of Sittingbourne Football Club for at least 25 years (the term of the lease that Woodstock Sports and Social Club has left).

“Woodstock has seen major improvements over the last twelve months.  They have just installed a brand new 150 seater stand and a year ago they installed state of the art floodlights with a lux rating of 300 (180 lux is required at our level).

“They have also enclosed the ground.  Anyone who has visited Woodstock will know that they have first class social facilities.  They have two bars and run a very successful event organisation.

“The grading of Woodstock at the moment is Grade F (level 5).  We require the ground to achieve a Grade D for Ryman League football (level 4).  Very little needs to be done to bring the ground up to the right grade.  This will be achieved before the season starts.

“To meet Ryman and FA rules and to ensure that we would be able to play Ryman League level next season we have to make contingency plans in case Woodstock is not up to Grade F by the 2013-14, namely have entered into a groundshare agreement with Whitstable Town.

“However, we fully expect Woodstock will meet the standard by the new season start. We would like to thank Whitstable chairman Gary Johnson and his committee for agreeing to help us with this agreement.

“It is worth mentioning that two other clubs were also too willing to offer their grounds for a groundshare. They are Maidstone United and Chatham Town.

“So it’s the end of another chapter in the history of Sittingbourne Football Club and the beginning of another exciting era. 

“It is worth mentioning that our local MP, George Henderson and his right hand man John Burke, are also enthusiastic about the move and have pledged to help us secure sponsorship and have offered any other assistance we may require.”

Mr Pitts revealed that the club are in the early stages of planning and hope to have a bus service running from Sittingbourne train station to the ground next season, which is two and a half miles away.   

On the pitch, Sittingbourne completed their Ryman League Division One South campaign in a respectable ninth-place in the table with 61 points (16 wins, 13 draws and 13 defeats).

The Brickies went down to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Ramsgate in their last game at Bourne Park yesterday.  Ian Pulman, 28, netted his 22^nd goal of the season to give the Rams victory in Sittingbourne’s final game at Bourne Park.

Joint-manager Jim Ward visited Woodstock yesterday morning and hopes the move benefits the club.

Broadstairs resident Ward said: “I’m not from this neck of the woods. I don’t know if there would be more Sittingbourne support.  It’s just off a big housing estate. There’s no houses around Bourne Park so Woodstock, with those houses around there, we may be able to attract some of the people from around there.

“I certainly hope so for Andy Spice and his wife, his good lady Tania.  I hope so for their sake.  This club deserves a crowd of 261 every week. It’s a good old fashioned club and it’s not their fault that they’ve had to move.”

Ward says he is also looking to bring in fresh talent as he prepares for next season.

“Now we need to sign three or four players and move on,” he revealed.

“Midfield is where we’re weak.  We’re quite good going forward wise, defensively we’re alright.  I can’t have a big squad here can I? I just haven’t got the money for a big squad.  I’d love to sign at least one experienced midfield players. That’s what I’d love to do.”

When asked about his own future, Ward insisted he will be in charge of the club next season – and is willing to offer anyone a trial.

“Unless Man United or Dundee United come in, yes.  We’ve spoken to the chairman and everything being equal.

“I never stop speaking to players. The situation here with finances, everybody that I meet, even on a Sunday on a bus they get spoken to and I ask them if they can play football.  Anybody who comes in my (chip) shop and looks like an athlete he gets asked if he can play football. Don’t worry about that. We never stop!”

Meanwhile, Sittingbourne supporters are invited to watch Woodstock Sports’ home game against Corinthian on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May (12:30pm) to have a look at the facilities on offer. 

Admission to the Kent Hurlimann Football League fixture is free with a collection being made to support Demelza House.

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