Kids can be our guests, says Lordswood number two

Thursday 18th February 2010

STRUGGLING Bulmers Cider Kent League side Lordswood are copying a successful idea from Kent giants Dartford as they bid to improve attendances at Martyn Grove, writes Stephen McCartney.

Jason Lillis and John Guest (the father of the defender with the same name) took the reigns last November and are already making their mark on the club.

Guest, 55, was a proud father as he watched his son playing for Tony Burman’s Dartford in front of regular four-figure crowds at Princes Park.

And the assistant manager has taken Dartford’s ideas of making football affordable for youngsters as he bids to bolster attendances and give the club a feel good factor.

A crowd of 172 were in attendance last weekend, when high-flying Herne Bay came away with a 2-0 win.

“We were languishing, having only two points on the board up until me and Jason arrived at the football club,” Guest told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Since we’ve arrived, obviously we’ve restructured a lot of things there, the coaching, the coaching staff etc and we’ve changed the training facilities.

“We’ve brought in physiotherapy equipment which the board, the players, myself and Jason have contributed to, making things are professional as it can possibly get without paying the boys any money.”

Current Ryman Premier League leaders Dartford are bearing the fruits of attracting Kent’s largest non-league crowds, thanks to Kids for a Quid offers at Princes Park and attracting families to watch affordable football.

“The future of football is the kids,” added the Walderslade based Guest.

“We’ve brought the Lordswood Youth more involved with the football club and we almost had 200 supporters there last Saturday, which was the highest crowd that they’ve had since 2005.

“I was at Dartford with my son, obviously being a pure spectator for about three years, and one of the things they’ve done a fantastic job over the years is to make sure the youth are supporting the football club.

“That’s now baring fruition with the support that they’ve got. Parents are bringing their children so it’s an ongoing thing.

“We want the youth involved now so we’re issuing out something like 200 free tickets a week for every home game.

“You’re not going to get everyone down there but we’re giving them free training sessions, they can be ball balls and it’s already starting to look up.”

Lordswood can climb off the foot of the table if they win away to the side immediately above them - Fisher - on Saturday.

“We’re now in a position where were three points behind Fisher,” said Guest. “We’ve got a number of games in hand on Fisher and one or two of the others, Corinthian and Holmesdale, so we’re looking to get somewhere above or off the bottom of the table, hopefully this weekend.

Both Guest and Lillis are both up for the challenge at a club that is normally struggling towards the foot of the table.

“I’ve got to be honest,” said Guest. “When we arrived it was a bit of a blank cheque really.

“I think the board have been absolutely fantastic. I’ve not been involved at this level of football ever, it was always Ryman Premier or Conference South etc.

“When Jason rang me up and said ‘join me at Lordswood,’ it just fitted the bill totally. Both of us turned down various bits and pieces over the last few years but this looked good. We chatted to the board and they have been absolutely superb. Everything we’ve asked and wanted they’ve done for us.

He added: “Our aim is to not finish bottom, that’s the starter for ten and to get the structure right at the football club so we’re starting to play the football we want to see and bring the boys on as well.

“At the end of the season we will take stock and see where we are next year. Hopefully we want to be looking at somewhere above midtable next year.”

Visit Lordswood’s website: www.lordswoodfc.co.uk

Fisher v Lordswood

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Saturday 20th February 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

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