Sidley set for big return

The Blues will return to action with an away match against Little Chelsea at Eastbourne Sports Park in East Sussex Football League Division One.

Sidley withdrew from the Sussex County Football League in summer 2013 after the loss of their Gullivers ground when parent company Sidley Sports & Social Club ceased trading.

The Blues opted to take ‘a year’s break’ to rebuild and are now back at a lower level playing their home matches at Hooe Recreation Ground under the joint management of former Sidley favourites Adam Day and Owen Ball.

Day said: “It’s brilliant. The committee have still been getting their hands dirty and we’ve been doing bits to the Hooe facility. They’ve been really good and they’re quite happy to see a Sidley kit running round again. It could be an exciting season.”

Sidley have won all three of their pre-season friendlies, beating Hooe Sports 6-1, impressively overcoming Ninfield United 4-1 and defeating a young Eastbourne Town reserve side 3-0.

Sidley’s team contains several well-known experienced players such as Day, Kevin Rose - who is playing in goal these days - Mark Funnell and captain Lee Short mixed in with some promising youngsters.

Sidley’s opening home game will be against Hollington United II next weekend. Other league opponents this season will include Bexhill AAC, Hawkhurst United, Icklesham Casuals, Mountfield United, Sandhurst, Ticehurst and Wadhurst United.