Further improvements for Sidmouth Town FC

In readiness for next season, a further stage has now been completed in the development of the football ground at Manstone Lane, home of Sidmouth Town AFC – writes Andy Argyle, Club Development Officer.
A specially fabricated mesh ball-stop has been erected behind the goal at the eastern end of the ground to prevent footballs landing in neighbouring gardens or going on to the roadway.
“Accuracy of shooting in front of goal is not always an exact science,” said Andy.
“The addition of the ball-stop fence will prevent continual disturbance to local residents and the occasional loss of footballs in the undergrowth - an expense the Club can do without.”
The new facility has been funded with a grant from the Sid Vale Association’s Keith Owen Fund (KOF) in response to an application for assistance and this positive outcome has been greatly welcomed by the Club.
“We are enormously grateful to the KOF for responding to our request to enable us to complete this element of the ground improvement programme,” said Andy.
“The KOF is focused on providing help to the local community when it is needed and were receptive to our approach. In turn, we try to ensure that the Football Club represents the local community in our National game and, in that sense, the objectives of our two organisations are community centric.
“The addition of the ball-stop gives the ground an immediate sense of cohesion. As can be seen, the equipment is to a very high standard and adds greatly to the feeling of a properly delineated football ground, rather than a traditional parks pitch.
“We cannot wait to host our next home game to show off the additions we have made.”
Further updates will be given as the improvement programme nears completion to keep readers, Club members and supporters up to date.
It is great to see so many exciting projects being undertaken at Sidmouth Town and, while we might be entering the months of summer sport, everybody is hopeful the South-West Peninsula League can restart in August with all restrictions lifted.