One Step Closer To Home
Southwick 1882 FC have submitted plans to the Council which could see them return to ‘Old Barn Way’
Southwick 1882 FC has had a tough time off the pitch in recent times after being forced to leave their spiritual home ‘Old Barn Way’.
Formerly known as Southwick FC, newly formed Southwick 1882 FC has been playing on the Southwick Recreation Ground this season. The Wickers had to find a new place to play after their previous home, Old Barn Way, fell into disrepair, forcing them to leave.
After reforming into Southwick 1882 FC to separate from former ownership, they were relegated two divisions into the Mid Sussex Championship. Despite all the issues off the pitch the Wickers have been doing the business on the pitch.
Currently, Southwick 1882 FC sit third in the Mid Sussex Championship, having won all four of their matches. Their most recent win was a 3-2 victory over Polegate Town, they are behind the league leaders by only four points, but have three games in hand.
Old Barn way had been the home of Southwick FC for decades.
Results on the pitch could be about to reflect the business off the pitch. The club had started a campaign #BringHomeTheWickers as to raise awareness and money to find a way back to Old Barn way.
Now the big news is that Southwick 1882 FC have submitted plans to Adur and Worthing Council with the hopes of returning to their home. In their plan, they outline the vision of the club, including building a Southwick 1882 FC academy called ‘the club’.
With already 100 children and young people actively involved, the club expects the number to more than double over the next few years. The club hopes to offer them pathways to the senior teams, by having a full complement of youth teams.
Southwick is one of the oldest clubs in Sussex after it founded in 1882.
The club’s campaign has found support from many places including the Russell Martin Foundation and the Football Supporters Association. Though it’s most surprising supporter has been Ralf Rangnick, former coach of Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig, Schalke 04 and VfB Stuttgart.
The German football coach used to play for Southwick during his time as a student at the University of Sussex in Brighton. Rangnick has donated £1,000 to the campaign of his former club. The 62-year-old also sent a message speaking of his time as a Wicker.
Dear Wickers supporters, having played for the Wickers in 1980 was a great experience for me as a young student and player. This is why I would love to support your campaign and very much hope the club can return to Old Barn Way ground in due course. Up the Wickers
Ralf Rangnick to Southwick Fans
If the Council accepts the plans, then Southwick 1882 FC can start to look forward to returning home and putting the recreation ground far behind them.
