Southwick 1882 FC Getting Closer To Old Barn Way
Southwick 1882 FC are still battling with the Local Council.
The Russell Martin Foundation have invited the Wickers back home if they win the Lease to Old Barn Way
Southwick 1882 FC has received some good news in their mission to return to Old Barn Way, after being invited back by one of the main bidders for lease to the ground.
The Russell Martin Foundation are one of the main parties interested in securing the lease for the Southwick 1882 FC’s old home. The Foundation has invited Southwick 1882 FC back to Old Barn Way as the affiliated club at a new planned football academy. This invitation is upon the condition should they be awarded the lease and to Old Barn Way.
Southwick 1882 FC have been without a home after being forced out of Old Barn Way after the ground fell into disrepair and required an estimated £500,000 worth of restoration. The club was reformed in July earlier this year to separate themselves from the previous ownership. The team has since been playing its matches at the Southwick recreation ground.
Due to the reforming of the club, Southwick 1882 FC have been playing two divisions lower than before due to FA rules on club debts. The new Wickers have taken to their new division like a duck to water and have won all of their games in the Mid Sussex Championship, most recently edging out the Crawley Devils in a 3-2 thriller.
Southwick 1882 FC are flying in the Mid Sussex Championship.
The Wickers have won all of their games in every competition this season.
But the primary mission of the club off the pitch is to return to their spiritual home of Old Barn Way. Most of the news at the moment is good, but the main hurdle of the Council still stands in the way. The Adur and Worthing Council did respond to Southwick’s latest submission. The Council have agreed that a football club will play at Old Barn Way again, they did not guarantee that it would be Southwick 1882 FC.
In simple terms, it means that any club in England could move to the historic ground. For example, Charlton Athletic’s under 23 sides, Portslade Athletic or even West Ham United should their lease with the London Stadium be terminated all these clubs could metaphorically move to Old Barn Way.
The Wickers have now been advised that no decision will be made until January until issues surrounding the lease holder are debt with. In the meantime Southwick 1882 FC will have to focus on getting results on the pitch and are due to play their next match against Copthorne II when lockdown is lifted and football can return.
