Sittingbourne turn down take over bid but launch football academy

SITTINGBOURNE chairman Andy Spice has explained why he has turned down an offer from former Crystal Palace footballer Michael Hughes to buy the cash-strapped Bourne Park outfit, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Brickies chief took the decision to withdrawal Gary Abbott’s playing budget in January, which resulted in the manager using Richard Brady’s links with Dartford’s Academy to blood youngsters in for the remainder of the season and Sittingbourne can take credit in finishing in eleventh place in the Ryman League Division One South table.

Writing in his programme notes on the final day of the season, Mr Spice said, “I am especially grateful to our team this year because the decision taken back in January not to pay any wages could have led to the management duo of Abbo and Brady together with the whole team walking and while I do not blame any that did, those that stayed and those that have joined us since deserve an accolade because each and every one of them has done us proud.

“Not paying wages, combined with the generosity of many of our supporters (and indeed some of those from other Clubs) and another successful series of Sheppey League finals sees us end the season in a much better financial situation than previously anticipated.

“There will still be a small sum owed to Cearnsport at the end of the season and we are indebted to Roger Cearns for his tolerant attitude towards the club.

“The committee will work throughout the closed period to try and ensure that the money is raised through whatever means possible, so that we can start next season without debt and this combined with the fact that Maidstone United FC will be playing back at our ground for one year, will help us through next season but unfortunately we are still unlikely to be able to afford to pay big wages to anyone, either on management or as a player, unless our gate improves significantly.”

Mr Spice added, “I will mention the takeover bid by Michael Hughes briefly but only to say that the Club Committee and myself were not convinced that what was on offer, was right for the club at this time and I hope that you will trust us all to have made the right decision.”

Sittingbourne confirmed yesterday that they have confirmed a partnership with The Sittingbourne Community College (SCC) to launch a Football Academy that will provide a course that combines academic qualifications with football coaching.

The course, whose objective is to open up opportunities for successful careers in sport and maybe top flight football, starts in September 2011.

All Academy members will enrol as SCC students.

Sittingbourne Football Club has long been keen to be more involved in the local community and now this partnership with Sittingbourne Community College has made this possible.

Trials will be held at the SCC, Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne on May 24^th and 26^th between 5.00pm and 7.00pm.
Application forms can be obtained from the Sittingbourne FC  website www.sittingbournefc.co.uk , questions regarding the course should be emailed to bournefc@hotmail.com. Coaches will be at least to UEFA B standard.

Both Sittingbourne Football Club and The Sittingbourne Community College are enthusiastic about this joint venture.

Mr Spice said, “We are very excited to be working with Sittingbourne Community College in this venture which is a great opportunity for the youth of Sittingbourne to progress their sporting skills to a good level whilst maintaining their academic studies.

“An application has been made to join the conference youth league with games being played against top class opposition on a Wednesday afternoon.”

Alan Barham, the head teacher at Sittingbourne Community College, said, “Following the investment by the Football Foundation in the football facilities here at the College, the setting up of a Football Academy has always been in our plans.

“We are particularly pleased to be working with Sittingbourne FC in this venture. Together we can provide young men with a balanced programme that ensures they can success academically with a possible exciting route into professional football.

“The setting up of this first Academy will be a model for several others we are planning in the future so that we can offer young people, both boys and girls, opportunities to develop their sporting talents whilst completing their academic studies.”

His colleague, Dave Carden, head of sport at the college, added, “This is an important step for SCC’s Sports Department as we continue to investigate ways of supporting young people who are talented in a particular sport. Whilst our primary role is to educate young people we recognise the specialist training and coaching needed by elite performers.

“The setting up of Academies like the Sittingbourne Football Academy is a very effective way of achieving the best approach for these young people. By working with Sittingbourne FC is another demonstration of the wider community role the College is fulfilling.”

And Darren Collins, a sports teacher at the college, said, “In recent months colleagues and I have been working hard to achieve the dream of setting up a Football Academy. The rigorous football programme that will be available to young men attending the Academy will prepare them for greater competitive challenge than is currently available. Backed up by educational success young Academy members can look forward to successful careers in sport and who knows maybe in top flight football.”

Sittingbourne secretary, John Pitts, added,  “Youngsters who have been interested in the academy route have had to look further afield to progress their dream.

“Over the last two seasons Sittingbourne FC have used players from other Kent football academies and we have always felt that it would be good to give players from Sittingbourne a chance to show their footballing skills. Not many other clubs have used academy players in their first team as much as us and we are delighted that hopefully some home grown players will play for our first Xl in the not too distant future.

“We have approaches from other education establishments to consider a football academy but the committed staff at SCC and their first rate sporting facilities made it an easy decision for us.

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