Sids get a pizza the sponsorship action

Sidlesham assistant manager Jamie Smith and Brighton Makombe, area manager for Papa Johns, seal the deal

Jamie Smith and Gary Jefkins are assistant managers at the club and have been striving to look after the first team with strict training – as well as recruiting local businesses to sponsor the club.

“At this level it’s critical to have local business sponsorship,” said Smith. “It helps to build awareness and credibility for the club, as well as incentives for the players to put in as much effort as they can, as they feel valued.

“Morale is high and that’s partly due to the support we’re receiving from our sponsors like Papa John’s, who are helping to motivate the boys and us all at the club with such essential sponsorship.

“I live a five-minute walk from the Chichester Papa John’s in The Hornet, and regularly visit so I’m delighted we have them on board as sponsors.”

Brighton Makombe, Papa John’s area manager, said: “On the behalf of Papa John’s, I would like to say how much we appreciate the sponsorship we provide to Sidlesham. It’s great to see young, talented players enjoying themselves and we wish the team well for the season.

“As a business, we look to provide sponsorship for outdoor activities at a local level as much as we can and its pleasure watching any form of teamwork, and at the same time, appreciating the long lasting benefits of team working for our future leaders.”

JMT Embroidery, County Stone and Chichester Carpentry join Papa John’s as kit sponsors and are joined by more 25 local small-medium-sized firms that take advertising hoardings around the perimeter of the pitch.

“There’s no other club I know locally that have managed to generate this amount of sponsorship interest,” added Smith. “It’s generally at semi-pro level when you see these examples of sponsorship so here at Sidlesham FC, we’re really lucky to have many great businesses like Papa John’s on board, supporting our efforts and adding to our winning formula.”

In their latest outing, Sids lost 3-2 away to Three Bridges development team in the Sussex Intermediate Cup. Tom Kelly scored both the Sids’ goals.