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The Sidley Sports & Social Club members decided they had no other other but to cease trading on the 30th April, due to poor mis-management going back a number of years which has led to debts of around 175K. The Sports & Social Club and facilities are therefore closed and unavailable for use.
The Football Club and the Cricket club are both seperate entitys and solvent but are affiliated to the SSSC, the Sidley Cricket 1st/2nd teams have already had to pull out the Sussex League for this season as they have no where to play.
The future of the SSSC is ongoing, but it is a slow process. The Football Club therefore has to secure its short term future without the SSSC. The Club was founded 100 years ago and has so much history, it is also previous winners of the Sussex County League Divison 1.
The Football Club affilaition date to the Sussex County League is fast approaching, Although trying to keep the Future of the Sports & Social Club separate from that of the Football Club at this stage, not having access to the Gulliver's Sports ground (Which is owned by the SSSC) has a massive crippling impact on the Football club's income.
During the Close Season/Summer Months, the Football clubs main income on top of Sponsorship is the running of events such as boot sales at the Gullivers, the aim is to have 10 boot sales during the summer months where the club makes decent income to allow the club to start each season in an adequate financial position , without acess to the facilities at the Gullivers no boot sales have been run therefore leaving the Football Club finances very low at present.
Football clubs at our level, rely on support and sponsorship from local companies & organisations and putting on Fundraising events to raise funds to enable to run throughout the course of each season, anyone involved in a non-league club will no how difficult it is. Year by year it seems to get harder with the current econimic situation we find ourselves in.
The Football Club are continuing discussions with other local clubs in the area and the League & local authorities regards to an emergency ground share option.
The Clubs immediate future is very much in doubt without immediate funding. Anything you are able to give no matter how big or small will go along way in enabling this great club to continue and make more history in the fututre.
In anticipation, Sidley United are very grateful and appreciate your support.
Eastbourne Borough supporter but roots in Sidley!Save Sidley United !