We are going up, insists Whitstable chairman

Monday 02nd April 2007

Whitstable Town chairman Mr Tony Rouse insists his club will be playing Ryman League Division One South football in August – when they clinch their first ever Kent League title, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Oystermen will extend their lead at the top of the Kent League table to nine points on Tuesday night when Sporting Bengal United – who have leaked 15 goals in their past two games at VCD Athletic and Erith Town – visit The Belmont on Tuesday night.

“I think one or two people at other Kent League clubs are playing mind games with our players, so I want to stop any talk of Whitstable Town not wanting promotion should we finish in a position to go up,” Mr Rouse told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

“I think it’s an insult to suggest that after all the hard work by all associated with the club, officials, supporters, management and players alike, why on earth would we have worked so hard on all the ground improvements over the last two seasons.

“We are negotiating a new, longer lease with Canterbury City Council.

“We have plans afoot to rebuild the Belmont and bring all the facilities up to Conference League standard – that hardly smacks of lack of ambition!”

Everybody that you speak to praise the professionalism coming from the Belmont club – both on and off the field – and deserve to be playing Ryman League football in August.

And with the success of their former Kent League rivals, Ramsgate and Maidstone United during the past two years in the Ryman League Division One South, Marc Seager’s side should do well at that level.

“My vice-chairman, Joe Brownett and his family through D&J Tyres are still as involved as much as ever after over 16 years supporting the club,” said Mr Rouse.

“Joe, like myself, and everyone connected with the club wants the club to progress to the next level and then see how much further we can go.

“At the weekend I made a small presentation to Whitstable Rugby Club to congratulate them on their great season after they gained promotion.

“I said it then, and I will say it again, “Whitstable is a town on the up,” and that means we are looking to the future and after 120 years it would be wonderful if we could remember all those past players and all who have been connected with the club by winning promotion.”

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Whitstable Town v Sporting Bengal United
Kent League Premier Division
Tuesday 3^rd April 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable