14thaug03

Tunbridge Wells need sponsors money - says team boss
Tunbridge Wells manager Steve Clark has asked the town's local businesses to get behind the Go Travel Kent League Premier Division club, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Culverden Stadium outfit have lost both their opening Kent League matches by a 3-2 scoreline, at Thamesmead Town last Saturday and to Lordswood on Wednesday at their Culverden home.

Tunbridge Wells took the lead after seven minutes from a well taken goal from Steve Knell, and things improved for Clark's men when Dave Burren headed home from Wayne Balmer's cross six minutes before the break.

Lordswood pulled a goal back just four minutes after the half time break from Sam Colyer's header before Mike Cunningham's brace (75 and 77) sent the Lords to the top of the table and the Wells pointless after two matches.

Tunbridge Wells are sponsored by Allianz Cornhill, who are based in the town, but manager Clark wants other local companies to get behind their local football club.

He said: "With the size of Tunbridge Wells there should be enough people putting sponsorship money into this football club.  But they don't seem to be interested!"

Clark admitted there are a couple of good players coming through the clubs ranks with a youth team playing in the MUSH Kent Youth League under 18 Central Division and a reserve side playing in Division Two of the Go Travel Kent
League.

Tunbridge Wells play basement boys Beckenham Town at Culverden Stadium on Saturday and Clark is hoping his side can start picking up the results.

He added: "Hopefully we can get a settled team soon and start picking up a few results.  Once we get a few players back results should start going our way."

The Wells are missing Adrian Hatcher and Jason Bourne and Wayne Balmer is now on holiday after a good performance against Lordswood on Wednesday.  But Clark has been given a boost as Robert Perkins will shortly be returning from a holiday in America.

Tunbridge Wells have a newly built, smart clubhouse which includes use of a large car parking area.  Their main hall is 30' by 60' with a capacity of 100 people or comfortable seating for 70 people at tables, attractive clean room with dance floor and pool table.  A fully staffed licensed bar and a hatch to a fully equipped kitchen.  There is also a separate meeting room and clean new gents and ladies toilets with disabled access.

Anyone wishing to use the clubhouse for wedding receptions, parties, disco's, meetings, quizzes, race nights, jumble sales, nurseries, play groups etc should contact Judy Farnie on 01892 545 633 or 01892 544 552.