We strongly believe that youth is the future of any club, says Seven Acre boss Lee Hill

SEVEN ACRE & SIDCUP have announced a groundbreaking three-year deal to groundshare at Thamesmead Town.



The club originate from nearby Abbey Wood, but moved in to Oxford Road in Sidcup after Cray Wanderers vacated the premises over three years ago after the Wands withdrew their reserve side from the Kent League.

Seven Acre & Sidcup ply their trade in the Kent Invicta League but will play on the same grass playing surface as Ryman League side Thamesmead Town next season.

They will still use Oxford Road for their youth and veteran sides and league rivals Eltham Palace will still play their games there.

“Alongside our current home ground at Oxford Road, this shows the ambition and commitment by the club and its executive committee to move the club to the next level of the football pyramid,” said Lee Hill, who is the club’s owner, secretary and first team manager.

“The club will now have the opportunity to enter the FA Vase and the FA Youth Cup and other premier cup competitions for both adults and youths.”

Seven Acre & Sidcup hired out the state-of-the-art facilities at Bayliss Avenue when they played their reserve team and under 21 fixtures on the artificial pitch next door to the main stadium.

Hill says he is looking to blood hungry young talent in his first team squad.

“Last season we placed an advert for youth teams at all ages, standards and levels to join this ever expanding club (also mentioning the exciting times ahead) and work with the incumbent teams plus new teams that wish to join the club.

“As a club we would like to place teams in the Selkent League at each age level and the Kent Youth League at each age group.

“This will allow the club to have a great spread of age and standards and most importantly a path for improving players so they do not need to leave the club and can work their way, one day, to play for the first team which is at the heart of Seven Acre & Sidcup.

“Many of the current first team are players who have risen through the ranks. We strongly believe that youth is the future of any club.

“This means we have appointed a highly experienced development officer with many years’ experience at all ages and all levels within the football pyramid, to over-look all aspects of the club and to make sure that pathways are open to all ages and levels to progress through the club.

“We will also develop other streams through the links we already have with many Football League clubs so opportunities for the very best players are here for them.

“If this looks like this would excite you, we are currently looking for teams and volunteers to get involved with the club that thrives on the interaction of families and helps us to make this club a success in the present and future.

“Any help you could give the club, even if it is just for one day on match days for example, please get in touch in the first instance.”

Visit Seven Acre & Sidcup’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/sevenacresidcup