It's important to get people through the gate, says Abbott

Thursday 10th December 2009

SITTINGBOURNE boss Gary Abbott says he understands his chairman’s decision to make Saturday’s home game against Fleet Town a free game for all supporters, writes Stephen McCartney.

The cash-strapped Bourne Park outfit are taking a gamble by making the game free-for-all as they entice fans to the ground on the Eurolink Industrial Estate on Church Road for their forthcoming games.

Average crowds have dropped like a stone to just 136 and chairman Andy Spice is acting now before it’s too late, with around 50 match posters being distributed around the town.

“Obviously from Andy’s point of view he’s trying to attract more people there and hopefully they come to the next game, so from that side of it obviously you can‘t blame him” Abbott told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“But at the same time, if you don’t get any more people then you lose the money that you would have got with the normal crowds anyway.

“I don’t know if it’s going to work, obviously I hope it does, that’s important to get people in the gate and obviously it’s important to get three points as well.”

Thirteenth-placed Sittingbourne welcome sixth-placed Fleet Town, a side that are on the brink of the play-off zone, but Abbott wants his side to impress the new supporters.

“We’re playing well at the moment,” he said. “Every game is tough in our league, I don’t expect anything else.

After last week we just can’t score, so hopefully as long as we keep playing the way we are, making chances, I’m sure we’ll get our bit of luck and I’m sure someone will be on a hiding soon, hopefully on Saturday!

“It could be a nice little double for us, get a few people in there and three points as well and we’re at home to Margate so hopefully it may attract a few more people for Wednesday as well.”

Margate, who play one division higher, in the Ryman Premier League, come to Bourne Park for a delayed Championship Manager Cup third round tie.

“I want to win it, of course I do!” added Abbott. “I want to win every game. It’s nice to keep the team together and get results, at the moment we need results.

“It will be a good test for the boys and we’ll have a right go at them.”

The game has been re-arranged for a Wednesday as Vandanel Kent County League minnows, Milton & Fulston United welcome Kent League side Sevenoaks Town to Bourne Park for a Kent Senior Trophy tie 24-hours earlier.

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

Sittingbourne v Fleet Town

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 12th December 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Bourne Park, Central Park Stadium, Eurolink, Church Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME10 3SB