Fisher chairman complains about fixture allocation

Thursday 22nd October 2009

FISHER chairman Martin Eede has criticised the Kent League over the lack of home games that his club have been allocated so far this season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The south London side, under the name Fisher Athletic, finished rock bottom to the Blue Square South last season, but dropped down to the Kent League as the former club were wound up due to an unpaid tax bill.

The club quickly reformed and struck up a deal with landlords Dulwich Hamlet to play at Champion Hill for free and Mr Eede has revealed that a lack of home games has been a big blow to finances.

Five of their 12 games so far this season have been at home (attracting an average crowd of 115) and writing in his programme notes for their 1-0 home defeat to Sevenoaks Town on Tuesday night, Mr Eede is not happy.

“The Kent League is obviously a small league with only 16 teams in it, but we really expected to have had more than 3 (home) league games in the first 10 weeks of the season,” said the Fisher chief.

“True, several games have been cancelled due to cup commitments - something we couldn’t have due to the late formation of the club.

“But even still, for a club like us which rely exclusively on match day income, we couldn’t have been handed a worse start.

“The lack of home games is bad for two reasons. The money side obviously, but also it is difficult establishing our new club when we can’t demonstrate who we are, or what we stand for.

“We don’t have huge advertising budgets, TV coverage of hospitality boxes. What we do have are a group of players who give everything for the cause, encouraged by supporters who appreciate the hard work they’re putting in, and a management team that are doing their best to mould a successful side and one which plays attractive football.”

Fisher welcome league leaders Faversham Town in the first round of the Kent League Cup at Champion Hill on Saturday - before travelling to Salters Lane seven days later.

Mr Eede added, “The cup competitions are bonus revenue for Fisher but we need to do as well as we can.

“We are in for two very tough games against the league leaders but we’ve shown we can compete with all the sides in this division and I expect us to give a good account of ourselves.”

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.co.uk

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Fisher v Faversham Town

Bulmers Cider Kent League Cup First Round First Leg

Saturday 24th October 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Champion Hill, Edgar Kail Way, Dog Kennel Hill, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD