Vickers ground "looks a picture"

Saturday 03rd June 2006

With building work at Dartford’s Princes Park Stadium gathering apace, just a mile or so down the road in Crayford, the redevelopment at Kent League side VCD Athletic is “looking a picture,” writes Stephen McCartney.

The Old Road outfit are facing a race against time to get their £150,000 worth of ground improvements ready in time for their first pre-season friendly next month.

Having played at Thamesmead Town, Lordswood and Greenwich Borough during their exile, Vickers will be one of the favourites to land the Kent League title next season along with Thamesmead Town, Erith & Belvedere, Whitstable Town and Herne Bay.

A statement issued on www.vcd-athletic.co.uk said: “The ground is looking a picture at the moment but it is a race against time to get the pitch ready in time to play our first pre-season game on the 27^th July against Nationwide Conference South newcomers Fisher Athletic.

“The pitch was cut for the first time on Wednesday morning and it looked a picture.

“A great deal of sand was then put on the pitch on Thursday that made the pitch look like a beach. However, we are assured that this was to make the pitch more level.

“From Friday onwards the surface was continually rolled, re-seeded once more and channels dug in to allow for more drainage. This process will take two weeks.

“Work will begin this weekend on revamping the changing rooms, together with work on the new tea bar and patio area outside the new boardroom.

“It is a race against time now but with the weather now looking in our favour we should be ok.”

Over 100 people were in attendance at the club’s presentation night last weekend.

The awards were handed to Ashley Probets (Players’ player), James Brown (Manager’s Player), Grant Wallis (Supporters’ player), John Frosdick (Merit Award) and Terry Martin scooped the Supporter of the Year.

Chris Dudley scooped the Clubman of the Year and special awards were handed to Tom Reddington (club secretary) with Steve Brown and Terry Groom.

Players were also handed awards for loyal service with Kevin Winchcombe (200 appearances), Danny Penny (150), Chris Whitehouse (150), Martin Driscoll (100) and James Brown (100) proving there still can be loyalty in the game.

Meanwhile, over 50 children were in attendance this week when the club held their first ever soccer training school.

Children between the ages of 7-14 attended the three-day school, which was run by first team manager Martin Ford and his youth team manager Terry Groom.

The next one will be held for three days starting on Monday, 24^th July, and hopes to be another success like the first one.