Chatham Town name Jonathan Pearce as Community Scheme Patron

Thursday 04th February 2010

CHATHAM TOWN launch their new Community Scheme at Saturday’s home clash against Dulwich Hamlet - in a bid to improve attendances at Maidstone Road, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Medway club have acted as they bid to increase their current average of just 153 -the ninth best supported club in the Ryman League Division One South.

BBC TV football commentator Jonathan Pearce has agreed to be the Patron of the scheme and that Jonathan Shaw - MP for Chatham and Aylesford - will be at the ground at Maidstone Road from approximately 2:15pm on Saturday to officially launch the scheme.

“The Scheme is designed to get the name of Chatham Town FC out into the local community and to raise awareness that the club even exists!” said a club statement.

“In these harsh financial times, it is important that a generation isn’t lost to actually going to football on a Saturday afternoon or a Tuesday evening, and with the top level of English football now almost financially inaccessible for many people because of the costs, it is important that clubs like ours attract the next generation of football fans… Otherwise the tradition of watching football at grounds in the country could become almost a “lost art”!

“We are also delighted to announce that the Fitness First Gym, Chatham have agreed to sponsor the scheme, and in the coming months we hope that both the Gym and the Football Club can work side by side in the local community.

“The Chatham Town FC Community Scheme are indebted to Fitness First, as they have also “donated” Mark Green (who broke his leg in three places in a recent game against Folkestone Invicta) full use of the facilities at their Snodhurst Bottom base during his rehabilitation.”

Also in attendance on Saturday will be a party from Thamesview Junior School, Rainham, who are the first to participate as guests of the club as part of the “Maidstone Road Matchday Experience”, which is a scheme going forward that invites a different local primary school to a first team fixture at Maidstone Road.

During the day there will be photo opportunities with both Mr Shaw and Mark Green at the Fitness First stand within the ground, as well as two presentations that Mr Shaw will make – firstly before kick off to the party from Thamesview School to mark their visit, and after the game to the Chatham Town Man Of The Match.

It promises to be a great day for Chatham Town Football Club.

Should you require any further details, please contact the Community Scheme at the following email address chatscommunity@live.co.uk

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net

Chatham Town v Dulwich Hamlet

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 6th February 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6ES