I've fallen out of love with the game, admits Bexley Borough owner Liam Kelly

OWNER Liam Kelly says he is handing over the reins of Kent County League club Bexley Borough because he has fallen out of love with the game.


The amateur club, based at the Danson Youth Centre, Brampton Road, Bexleyheath, are presently sitting in ninth-place (of fourteen teams) in the Haart of Kent County League Division Two West – the lowest ranked tier in English non-league football.

The club were originally formed in 2006 as OPK – which stands for Owen Patrick Kelly – a 17-month baby boy who eventually lost his fight for life, but only after defying all the odds for so long and against all the doctors’ predictions.

Bexley Borough fork out £1,000 a year for their first team to play home games at the Danson Youth Centre, which doesn’t have floodlights or a bar, but does have a tea-bar facility.  Their only income is from sponsorship, membership (£50 per year) and players’ match subs of £7 per week.
 
Mr Kelly explained why he is handing over the running of the club to interested parties.

He said: “I’m looking for somebody who may be interested in taking over what I and a couple of others started a few years back for next season.

“This is to be my last for the foreseeable future.

“In 2009 OPK turned into Bexley Borough and although results haven’t been fantastic we have moved on extremely well, achieving Charter Standard, Intermediate Status and setting up a youth section and we are currently doing ok this season with a nice little ground that with a little work could be a real good venue for football, although currently limited to the Kent County League Premier.  It now has a tea bar and the pitch is in an excellent condition.

“There is the basis of a reliable and willing squad and Richard Edwin is currently helping managing the team.  Sadly Richard has work commitments and therefore can only commit 90% of the time.  Any new operators would be welcomed to inject a fresh management outlook and Richard is aware of this.”

Mr Kelly admitted the Kent Invicta League spurning the club’s application last year has been a personal blow.

“To be honest, I’ve fallen out of love with the game,” he said.  “The Kent Invicta League setback also took a lot out of me.  Had we got in maybe we would have kept players like Jason Rose (who went to sign for Beckenham Town), Alfie May (Corinthian), Omar Elim and Jamel McCann (Greenwich Borough).

“I am soon to have a lot on at home (starting a family) and work is very important at the moment.

“The last thing I want, however, is for the club to disappear as there is a lot of potential to be an established Kent County League club and also I have invested so much time, money and energy into it.

“Ideally a small committee would be required but I’ve done it on my own for some time now.  I wouldn’t rule out individuals taking over.

“The club has a good reputation for being well run and friendly and I will obviously be on hand as much as possible to help out anyone interested and will be happy to help with sponsorship.”

Interested parties can contact Mr Kelly on 07825 997 598.