Southwick FC start campaign to return to Old Barn Way
One of the oldest football clubs in Sussex, Southwick FC, could soon be without a home.
Southwick FC, founded in 1882, have played in their stadium, Old Barn Way for decades. But at the moment the team are forced to play at Southwick Recreation Ground at the intermediate level.
Speaking to Latest TV sports reporter, Henry Tomlinson, Assistant manager, Tony Gratwicke argued that the club is vital to the local area.
“It’s absolutely everything, it’s major, the club has been here since 1882 and has longer standing than some football league clubs. Obviously, we have formed a community.” Gratwicke told Latest TV.
Assistant manager of Southwick FC, Tony Gratwicke believes that the Wickers are essential to the community of Southwick
The change of scenery is because the former owner of Southwick FC gave up the lease to the District Council of Adur & Worthing. The Council have now shut the ground down due to health and safety concerns.
The ground has been in desperate need of rejuvenation for a while, but under the previous owner, nothing occurred to remedy this.
“You have a lease owner who was completely negligent and a council who took no notice of what was happening” John Baine campaigner for the Wickers said.
Now the club is fighting to return to their home. There are a few interested parties in leasing the ground. Southwick FC are one of them.
There is hope for Southwick FC that even if they are not selected to be the leaseholder, the one that is will allow the use of ‘affiliated’ football clubs.
The Wickers have demanded this be an included clause into the contract of whoever the new leaseholder is. This clause would guarantee the survival of not only Southwick FC but also ‘Saferide’, a motorcycle training company that operates on the premises.
Old Barn Way, Southwick FC’s Stadium, requires investment and repair.
The club have currently been forced to drop two Divisions due to debts built up by the former owner. The FA rules do not allow clubs to gain a sporting advantage through not paying their debts, in order to protect the integrity of the game.
Due to this rule that Southwick FC agrees with, the Wickers will not be participating in the National League for the upcoming season. The club does argue that they have not no dealing with the previous owner and are “in no way responsible for the debts incurred by them”.
BRING HOME THE WICKERS
Now the club have started their own movement “BRING HOME THE WICKERS”. Southwick FC have argued that they should be allowed to back into the ground as soon as the improvements are finished. The cost of the repair is estimated at around £500,000. This is required to bring the stadium up to standard according to Tony Gratwicke.
The club is hopeful to return to happier times at their home of Old Barn Way, with the aims of being a democratic member-owned community club. The Wickers also want to build towards a future with “a vibrant and enthusiastic youth section”.
The Wickers have had some success as a football club in County level. The Wickers have won the County League on multiple occasions, played in the Isthmian League and even reached the first round of the FA Cup.
The club in the meantime will be taking on Ashurst Wood on Saturday 19th September at their current base Southwick Recreation Ground.
Story reported and written by Henry Tomlinson
