Bring home the Wickers: Support for Southwick FC campaign growing quickly

Some of the Southwick FC youth players show their support for the Bring Home the Wickers campaign

A rally outside the ground last Sunday attracted scores of people – comprising people connected with the club and other local backers – keen to see Adur District Council guarantee the 138-year-old club’s return to its home.

As reported, the ending of the previous leaseholder’s lease of the venue last March has led to an uncertain future for the Wickers. And with the ground needing work to bring it back into use, the club have had to move out of the Southern Combination League and down to the Mid Sussex League – and to the nearby recreation ground.

Campaigners want ADC to allow the Wickers to return to Old Barn Way regardless of who is awarded the lease.

A spokesman for the new Southwick FC community interest company set up to take the club forward said: “The rally was great. It was a very short outdoor community gathering outside Old Barn Way in a strong breeze.

“We didn’t advertise it too much because we were aware of the social distancing issue, but had a good turnout of local people, at least 50 per cent of whom were from the youth teams who train and play together.”

It looks like the new Southwick 1882 FC will play their first home game at Southwick Rec on September 19. The campaign has attracted national interest.

The council says it wants Old Barn Way to be be used for football in the future.