K Sports Football Club is on the move and they’re changing name too - after announcing a departure from their century-old home.
A 105-year stay at the Cobdown Sports & Social Club is coming to an end as the football club - formerly known as Aylesford Paper Mills - will from next season groundshare at Sheppey United’s Holm Park and be known as Sheppey Sports FC.
K Sports are currently playing in Division 1 of the Southern Counties East Football Club
A club statement says the move is necessary to “ensure the long-term stability of the club” and comes after Welling Town reached an agreement to play at Cobdown as new primary tenants, taking on K Sports’ youth and Sunday section, leaving K Sports with just their one senior side.
“As a result,” the statement continued “the club has seen attendances drop, a lack of local sponsorship and, of course, no pathway for players to come through the first team.”
K Sports’ chairman is George Batten - son of Sheppey United’s ground owner, director and manager Ernie Batten - and he’s also the first team manager alongside brother Ian Batten.
The two clubs have been working closely together since the Batten brothers got involved at K Sports and several of Sheppey United’s players have played for them on dual registration deals.
This move brings the two clubs a lot closer and Sheppey Sports will now be “bridging the gap” between Sheppey United’s under-23s and their Isthmian League first team by providing Step 4 football at the same venue.
K Sports said the move will “allow young players to fully experience the men’s game who may not yet be ready to make the jump into the first team at Sheppey United.
“The club this season has prided itself on giving young players a chance.
“We have been lucky
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