PRESS RELEASE

ALL CHANGE FOR OLD OAK FC

Junior soccer club Old Oak have never been one to rest on its laurels and can now look to improved changing facilities at their Woodstock Park complex, thanks to a £20,000 grant from the Football Foundation

Previously the Sittingbourne club had just four changing rooms serving their four pitches and nowhere for officials to change. This money will allow them to create two extra rooms for male and female players and also provide changing accommodation for referees and their assistants.

More than £330,000 has been invested in Kent over the last two years by the Football Foundation – the UK's largest sports charity – bringing modern grass roots facilities and innovative community and education schemes to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

Funded by the FA Premier League, Football Association and Sport England, the Football Foundation has an annual budget of £53 million, going directly to the heart of football.

Welcoming this latest award for Kent, Lord Pendry, Chairman of the Football Foundation said:

"Grass roots football is the lifeblood of our national game and is vital in promoting community involvement. These facilities underline the Foundation's commitment to bring football back to the people, offering modern and fully inclusive facilities throughout the country. I pay particular tribute to all the hard work of everyone involved with Old Oak for their commitment and dedication in bringing these excellent facilities to their community."

Since their arrival at Woodstock Park in January last year, Old Oak FC have been developing their ground and this summer's project has been to convert the previously unused cricket pavilion into additional changing and shower facilities to include facilities for youngsters and female football. The project, which is nearing completion, will cost in the region of £30,000.

The balance of the funding has come from club funds and sponsorship, with additional loans and advice from the Kent County Council Sports Development Unit and The Kent County Playing Fields Association.

The Club, in particular, would like to thank Chris Metherell of The Kent County Council Sports Development Unit for all his advice and support throughout the project and their ground sponsors D C Brown and Son.

The completed project will enable all the pitches to be fully utilised with toilet facilities for everyone including spectators, disabled people and female officials.

Kent Air Ambulance

At the start of last season Old Oak arranged a charity football match with an Ex-Spurs team, with the proceeds going to their long-term adopted charity Kent Air Ambulance.

At their barbecue presentation night on July 20, the club presented a cheque for £1,022 to Captain Richard Cook pilot of the Kent Air Ambulance.

Old Oak FC are no strangers to charity matches and in 1995 a similar match at Sittingbourne FC against an Arsenal team raised £4,500 for the air ambulance service.

Next month the team are to play a special match behind closed doors at the home of a famous rock star.

Security is very tight for the match but full details and a report will follow.

Woodstock Park FC

Old Oak FC have taken steps to ensure that their team name for Sunday football will be with them for ever, but, due to an exciting new project ,as part of their continuing development they will play Saturday football next season under the name of Woodstock Park FC.

The name has been selected in order that other teams using the facility and, in particular, the organisations at The Sittingbourne Research Centre, will have something to identify with and support.

Woodstock Park have been accepted into the British Energy Kent County League for the coming season where they will take up their place in Division 2 East.

Their first match will be a 6.45pm kick off at Woodstock Park on Wednesday, August 7 where they will take on Chatham Town Reserves in a pre-season friendly.

A second friendly has been arranged for August 24 (2.45pm kick-off) when they hope to entertain the reserves of Ryman League team Cheshunt. (being confirmed)

The pre-season will complete with a third home tie at home to BB Eagles from Ealing (2.45pm kick off) on August 31, a team Old Oak met in the tournament they won in Brussels in May.

Woodstock Park FC would like to thank their kit sponsors for the new season – Frankham Associates.

Sponsors

Old Oak FC would like to thank all their sponsors – new and old – EDS, KNAUF, FRANKHAM ASSOCIATES, D C BROWN & SON, FOSTER YEOMAN, MARSHALLS, MARLEY, WESSEX DEVELOPMENT LTD, P W GODDARD LTD and RAY-DOR SIGNS

Advertisers

Old Oak FC would like to thank all their pitch side advertisers new and

old, MOORE CATERING, DELTA MEDI CLINIC, TT LITHO PRINT, NEW APPOINTMENTS

GROUP, GEMINI BUILDING SERVICES, MEDSPRAY TEST CENTRE, ALAMO SECURITY,

MAXXIOM, UNIVERSAL AERIAL PLATFORMS LTD, EXCEL SECURITY PROTECTION, SITTI

GLAZE, GERALD EDELMAN and IMPERIAL WELDING SUPPLIES LTD

Old Oak Awards for 2001-2002 season

1st team: Sportsman Mark Oldershaw, Most Improved Player Darren Parkinson,

Manager's Player Mark Rees, Players' Player Paul Notley.

Special awards to James Ellis (leading goalscorer), Paul Notley (goal of the season) and most appearances to Terry Smith who played in all 44 matches.

Reserves: Sportsman Neil Redmond, Most Improved Kieron Higginson, Manager's Player and Players' Player Dave Clarkson.

A special award was made to Bernard Harris for all his voluntary work at the ground.