Thamesmead Town's grand re-opening delayed again until January 2012

THAMESMEAD TOWN boss Keith McMahon says he remains frustrated over the delay in completing the redevelopment of Bayliss Avenue, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Ryman League Division One North club were supposed to open their brand new facilities next month, but the completion date has been put back again to 28 January 2012.

“The ground’s moving on slowly now, the 3G pitch should be finished now in three weeks,” said McMahon after his side earned a lucrative home draw against Enfield Town in the first qualifying round of The FA Carlsberg Trophy after beating Kent rivals Whitstable Town 3-2 at Bayliss Avenue yesterday.

“All the windows are all going in the clubhouse.  We’ve had a big issue with the drains here, they had them done and they collapsed and they’re digging up and we’ve been told that’s a couple of weeks from finishing then and the car park will be done, thank God, and then they’re in the clubhouse and plastering the walls.”

McMahon added: “It’s frustrating for us, I’m not going to lie.  Hopefully there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel because there is actual stuff going on.

“The new building firm have been excellent to be fair.  They have been under a lot of pressure, there are some issues they still have but that’s kept behind close doors, but yes it’s been very tough on the club.

“It’s only embarrassing when you have a car park like this, but I think everyone can see what’s going on but it’s when it’s going to be finished.

“There is a lot of progress now, the new centre manager, Simon Jones from Trust Thamesmead has come in and we get on really well.   He’s a football person and he’s helping the club out there and we just hope everyone there follows suit and helps as well.”

A crowd of just 53 saw goals from Theo Fairweather-Johnson and substitutes Bradley Killick and David Noel inflict more Cup misery on Whitstable Town as Peter Nott’s side have both been defeated in their only FA Cup and FA Trophy ties this season.

Thamesmead Town, meanwhile, continue their Cup campaign with a visit from Blue Square Bet South club Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday night, in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup.

Although their next home game in Ryman League Division One North isn’t until Waltham Abbey’s visit on 22 October, McMahon spoke about the progress the club is making to try to increase their average gates of just 51, the lowest in the division.

“We’ve tried to link up with Charlton, we’re offering Charlton season ticket holders who come down with their season tickets in for a fiver and kids for a pound,” said McMahon, although season tickets are not valid for any Cup game.

“We do our bit.   We’re linking up with the local community with this Respect thing with the schools.  We’re trying to get bodies in. 

“The football we play, hopefully more people will come through the doors.”

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk  

Thamesmead Town  v  Tonbridge Angels
Kent Senior Cup Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com First Round
Tuesday 11^th October 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ