We'd be a real asset to the Kent League, insists Faversham boss

Faversham Town boss Terry Cordice secured runners-up spot in the British Energy Kent County League and roared: We can be the new Maidstone United - article courtesy of www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

The born-again Salters Lane club completed their rollercoaster first season back in football with a 2-1 at Sheerness East on Wednesday night.

And that means they WILL be promoted to the Kentish Observer League if champions Lewisham Borough fail to satisfy the criteria laid down at Step Five of the football pyramid.

Cordice is convinced the all-new Lilywhites would be a tremendous success at the higher grade after a season that has seen home gates average around 220 at Salters Lane.

And he insisted: "The Kent League have lost Maidstone now after they won it but we could be the new Maidstone. Obviously, we couldn't afford the sort of wages they've been paying which is four figures every week but our fanbase is exceptional.

"The Stones have averaged over 200 sharing at Sittingbourne this season and, of course, that will increase when they move home, but our crowds have been just as impressive at Salters Lane this year.

"Not many teams can compare with us which has been a big surprise. We came in blind so to have over 1,000 for the first friendly against Sittingbourne was incredible. It made us realise the potential.

"We've then had two gates of over 400 in the league so you can see that this is a club that's really going places. We'd be a real asset to the Kent League."

Cordice said he found out about Lewisham Borough's application for promotion only minutes before the two teams met in a championship showdown at Salters Lane on Saturday.

The South Londoners claimed the title with a 2-0 win and they now go forward as the county league's nominated club to make the step up to the Kentish Observer League.
But because Faversham Town finished in the top two, they will be considered if Lewisham's application falls flat.

Cordice said: "I don't understand what is going on right now. It's not my place to speculate about other teams and their cases for promotion but Lewisham's appears to have come from nowhere.

"We've done everything the Kent League have asked and more. Let us in - you don't have to hold us back! We have everything in place now."

Cordice and his assistant Peter Holder have always wanted to try their luck at managing in the Kent League but the duo would not be looking just to make up the numbers.

In fact, they are already plotting a route to an even higher standard as they try to keep pace with a revitalised stadium that is already capable of hosting Southern League football.

Cordice revealed: "Pete and I have always wanted to manage in the Kent League and then go higher.

"It's a better level of football. You have better sides and I think that would suit some of our players, the players we have who like to get it down and play.

"We want to go higher than the Kent League, absolutely. Next year could be consolidation if we do go up, but then we'll want to push on.

“Yet that's not to say we'll be happy with mid-table, we'll want to finish as high as we can."

Cordice is already planning for next season and he revealed: "Obviously, we will be looking to get players in and that will involve money but we'll be looking at that in the summer.

"Some players are not motivated by money but it certainly helps when you are looking to bring in quality that's for sure.

"I want to start winning things. The table doesn't lie. OK, we did not win this league but we definitely deserved to finish in the top two. Who knows what might have happened if we had scored first on Saturday against Lewisham? I'm sure it would have been a lot different. We now know what we have to do next season.

"We have a few players in mind but I don't want to say too much. All I will say is that a new season in the Kent League will attract players."

Cordice plans to stay at Faversham Town for the next two seasons at least but stressed that the club's committee might have other ideas.

He said: "I need to sit down with the board and discuss what they want. Pete and I are hoping to stay here for two or three years, maybe more, depending on what happens. That's what we are looking at - we want to build.

"The club here can match our ambitions. This is the first step, getting into the Kent League. Of course, they might say thanks very much and have someone else in mind. Nothing in this life is cut and dried.

"But I will have to sit down with them and tell them of our ambitions - I'm sure we can come to an agreement."