Link-up between Sittingbourne and Borden Village will benefit both clubs going forward

SITTINGBOURNE have formed a link with a club that play three levels lower than them, Borden Village.

The Kent County League Premier Division side appointed Kevin Brown as their new manager yesterday and the 45-year-old will be assisted by UEFA B licenced coach Simon Beard.

“We are pleased to announce that the two senior football teams in Sittingbourne, Sittingbourne FC and Borden Village, have formed a link,” said a club statement from the Isthmian League South East Division club.

“The two club committees have been discussing the tie-up for sometime and following changes at Borden Village the time was now right to join forces.

“The tie-up has begun with Sittingbourne FC helping Borden finalise a strong management team that will now include names familiar to stalwart Brickies fans.

“There was already a link between the two clubs through committee members of both clubs, Roger Pudner (who is also the groundsman for both clubs) and Ian Jackson.

“Sittingbourne manager Darren Blackburn will have an overseeing role over teams of both clubs and for Sittingbourne the interchange of players that this link-up makes possible will prove invaluable.

“These are exciting times for Sittingbourne football.”

Brown and Beard have replaced Glenn Conlon and Rob Welling, who stepped down from their roles at Borden Village on 14 May.

Borden Village were in eleventh-place in the Kent County League top-flight at the time of the expungement of the 2019-20 football season owing to the coronavirus outbreak, say they are “excited” to bring in their new manager, who has playing experience at a higher level of football.

Brown played for the likes of Sittingbourne, Tonbridge Angels, Gravesend & Northfleet, Worthing, Sheppey United, Greenwich Borough and Tunbridge Wells during a 25-year non-league playing career.

Brown moved into coaching Ashford United’s under 23 since hanging up his boots.

Beard, meanwhile, started his career as an apprentice at West Ham United, before dropping into non-league to play for Sittingbourne, Dover Athletic and Hastings United.

A Borden Village statement added: “These are exciting times for the club, which will include a link-up with Sittingbourne FC, which will benefit both clubs going forward.”

Sittingbourne play in the eighth-tier of English football, while Borden Village play in the eleventh.

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

Visit Borden Village’s website: www.bordenvillagefc.hitssports.com