I'd hate to see Sittingbourne go under - but it is that bad, says concerned joint-boss Jim Ward

SITTINGBOURNE joint-manager Jim Ward has issued a rallying cry to all of the club’s stay-away supporters – come back to Bourne Park or risk losing the club!



The former Ramsgate boss came back from his former club with a 3-1 win last night to climb into fifth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with 24 points from fourteen games.

Sittingbourne are unbeaten in their last five games (winning their last two) and Ward wants the club’s fans to return on Saturday when they face midtable Merstham on Saturday.

Sittingbourne welcome Hayden Bird’s Merstham to Bourne Park on Saturday and after attracting a crowd off 131 for the visit of Tooting & Mitcham United last weekend, Ward insisted the club are at risk of going under.

Broadstairs based Ward said: “Merstham are one of the money clubs in the League.  I know Hayden Bird has spent a few bob.

“It will be interesting on Saturday. It’s a big test for this football club because we’ve got to start getting people through the gates.

“We have to help the chairman (Andy Spice) out.  At the moment money wise the club is really struggling and we can’t live of gates of 130.  We only had 130 at the Tooting game last Saturday.

“The people of Sittingbourne, if they want to have a successful club they’ve got to come or either put their hands in their pockets for sponsorship or come along to watch the games and believe me they’ll see things every person in our squad is playing their heart out to play for Sittingbourne Football Club.

“It’s not two bob because we’ve got the leading goalscorer in the whole of Kent in Ryan Golding.

“It’s not like their spending their money and wasting it.  I'd hate to see Sittingbourne go under because but it is that bad.

“We had meetings with Andy Spice last week and he’s doing it all on his own.  He needs help from the local community.  There’s a big dog track there perhaps they can help more?

“I do know that me and Danny are working with our hands tied, which is difficult.  We’re doing great, as are the players.  They’ve had a total transformation with players but if I wanted a centre half tomorrow I wouldn’t be able to get one.  I’d have to go and get someone else’s dregs.

“It’s a worrying time for Sittingbourne, especially when we’re doing so well.  We should be getting more people through the gate.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk  

Sittingbourne  v  Merstham
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 24^th November 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink Industrial Estate, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB