chatham051116
HATS off to the 39 Eastleigh fans who made the 620-mile round trip to Barrow on October 29. If their 18-hour trek from the south coast to the north-east and back wasn’t gruelling enough, TV chiefs declared they set off from Hampshire at around 3am after the clash of the National League promotion seekers were chosen at BT Sport’s live game, kicking off at 12.30pm. While I totally understand and applaud the demand, need and importance of television - especially when it brings interest and money to the Non-League game - I can’t help but think that the decision to reschedule kick-off times was made without any thought or consideration to the most important people in the whole process… the fans. That day, the sides lying first and second in the National League, Forest Green Rovers and Dagenham & Redbridge, were locking horns at The New Lawn in, arguably, the game of the season so far. With a round trip of just under 300 miles - over half the distance - surely televising this top-of-the-table clash would have made more sense? And if it really had to be Barrow v Eastleigh – still a mouth-watering encounter I must add - why couldn’t it be put back to the more preferable 5.30pm slot? The plight of the Eastleigh fans got me thinking about my own early experiences as a young reporter, covering my two local sides, Aldershot Town and Farnborough Town. As keen as enthusiastic as I was, I remember being in total awe of those supporters who traipsed the length and breadth of the country every other week supporting their team. It wasn’t too bad for me. I had a free Press ticket waiting for me at the gate and my expenses were covered upon my turn. But these dedicated die-hards gave up their hard-earned time, effort and money for the cause - often for little reward - yet still they would arrive home with smiles on their faces and start planning their next excursion. Times are hard these days, and with the introduction of twitter, Facebook and club websites, it would be very easy for fans to give their feet and wallets a rest and follow their club’s fortunes in comfort behind a computer screen. But, as we know, football fans are a rare breed –the magic of television will never change that. Jon Couch
Brickies Lottery Results Stop Press!! The lottery is now even more attractive. A draw is now to be made at half time each month during a home game where the prizes will be one of a £100 and 3 of £40. The first draw was made for week commencing 1st November at the Corinthian-Casuals game by the curator of the Sittingbourne Heritage Hub and the winners were: £100: Ticket no 449 Neil Cornelius £40: Ticket no 025 Dave Pilcher £40: Ticket no 431 Richard Stew £40 Ticket no 285 Paul Golding Winners of the “old Lottery” The following winners each receive £40 WEEK COMMENCING 24TH OCTOBER 2016 Ticket no: 054, Gareth Pearson, Sittingbourne Ticket no: 197, David Miller, Sittingbourne Ticket no: 224, Kevin Wibrew, Leybourne Ticket no: 256, John Fish, Sittingbourne Ticket no: 587, Bryan Alan Pearson, Sittingbourne WEEK COMMENCING 17TH OCTOBER 2016 Ticket no: 050, Peter Rushworth, Sittingbourne Ticket no: 146, Peter Dixon, Bapchild Ticket no: 328, Roger Bennett, Sittingbourne Ticket no: 494, John Russell, Sittingbourne Ticket no: 640, Bryan Stemp, Sittingbourne WEEK COMMENCING 10TH OCTOBER 2016 Ticket no: 031, Linda Pearson, Sittingbourne Ticket no: 102, Colin Stevens, Sittingbourne Ticket no: 220, Les Crowther, Sittingbourne Ticket no: 281, Alan Barty, Bearsted Ticket no: 408, Helen Sawyer, Sittingbourne Now is the time to join our lottery, see John or Peter Pitts for a form, cost is just a £1 a week!
- Page 1 and 2: Ryman League Division One South www
- Page 3 and 4: TEAM CHECK Ryman League Div 1 South
- Page 5 and 6: Theo Paphitis, Chairman, Ryman BUSI
- Page 7 and 8: From the Programme Editor or leave
- Page 12 and 13: SPARSHATTS OF KENT Contact them on:
- Page 14: On This Day 5 years ago, today, we
- Page 17: 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 Steven
- Page 21: Match Reports by Tony Rickson 29th
- Page 25: MACRON OFFICIAL BENCH WEAR AND BALL
- Page 30 and 31: Player Stats 2016-17 To and includi
HATS off to the 39 Eastleigh fans who made the 620-mile round trip to Barrow on<br />
October 29.<br />
If their 18-hour trek from the south coast to the north-east and back wasn’t gruelling<br />
enough, TV chiefs declared they set off from Hampshire at around 3am after the<br />
clash of the National League promotion seekers were chosen at BT Sport’s live<br />
game, kicking off at 12.30pm.<br />
While I totally understand and applaud the demand, need and importance of television<br />
- especially when it brings interest and money to the Non-League game - I<br />
can’t help but think that the decision to reschedule kick-off times was made without<br />
any thought or consideration to the most important people in the whole process…<br />
the fans.<br />
That day, the sides lying first and second in the National League, Forest Green<br />
Rovers and Dagenham & Redbridge, were locking horns at The New Lawn in, arguably,<br />
the game of the season so far.<br />
With a round trip of just under 300 miles - over half the distance - surely televising<br />
this top-of-the-table clash would have made more sense? And if it really had to be<br />
Barrow v Eastleigh – still a mouth-watering encounter I must add - why couldn’t it<br />
be put back to the more preferable 5.30pm slot?<br />
The plight of the Eastleigh fans got me thinking about my own early experiences as<br />
a young reporter, covering my two local sides, Aldershot Town and Farnborough<br />
Town.<br />
As keen as enthusiastic as I was, I remember being in total awe of those supporters<br />
who traipsed the length and breadth of the country every other week supporting<br />
their team.<br />
It wasn’t too bad for me. I had a free Press ticket waiting for me at the gate and my<br />
expenses were covered upon my turn. But these dedicated die-hards gave up their<br />
hard-earned time, effort and money for the cause - often for little reward - yet still<br />
they would arrive home with smiles on their faces and start planning their next excursion.<br />
Times are hard these days, and with the introduction of twitter, Facebook and club<br />
websites, it would be very easy for fans to give their feet and wallets a rest and follow<br />
their club’s fortunes in comfort behind a computer screen.<br />
But, as we know, football fans are a rare breed –the magic of television will never<br />
change that.<br />
Jon Couch
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