Boss Ernie Batten has described 2023 as a dream year for Sheppey United. The Ites, in just their second campaign in Isthmian South East, are again in the play-off mix after they narrowly missed out on a top-five finish last term.
Sheppey also delivered their best FA Cup run, reaching the First Round earlier this season. They even led against League 2 Walsall last month before they succumbed to a 4-1 loss.
That run helped the Ites earn more than £20,000 in prize money alone and put the club in the national spotlight. “It’s been an absolutely fantastic year for us,” admitted Batten. “If somebody had said you would be live on TV in the FA Cup First Round and sit where we are now in the league, we would have been delighted. “It’s a dream, really.
We’re very happy with it.” Report: Sheppey 3-3 Sittingbourne Sheppey’s boss on their derby comeback Batten’s troops are fifth, despite having played more league games than most of their rivals, after coming from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at home to Swale neighbours Sittingbourne on Boxing Day.