Wick and Barnham unite for the future

Keith Croft will be chairman of the new Wick & Barnham United era at Crabtree Park

The club will be known as Wick & Barnham United Football Club after both club committee’s met to ratify the change, with the paperwork being completed in time for the start of the 2013-14 season.

It is still unconfirmed which division the club will compete in, but the new committee are confident the County League will place them in Division 2.

Current Wick first team manager Jon Tucker has agreed to become the new first team manager, with current Barnham manager Lee Tilliyer his assistant.

Scott Farrell, Ash Finch and Lee Trent make up the coaching and physio team, assisted by Terry Gaunt.

The reserve team will compete in the County League Reserve section under the watchful eye of new manager Chris Waller, with Dan Wright as his assistant.

All home games will be played at Crabtree Park and the merger also includes the highly successful Barnham Trojans youth section, which gives players the opportunity to move into senior football.

Wick chairman Keith Croft will be chairman of the new club, with Barnham chairman Nigel Smith as vice-chairman and both are eager for the fresh start and development that this merger will provide.

Croft said: “We’re hoping that this is going to be the start of something quite positive for us. The club has been struggling since we were demoted two years ago and, without the help from three or four core people, I’m not sure if the club would have kept going.

“This is like a breath of fresh air. Barnham couldn’t go any further and we were looking for support and there will be a transitional period now where everyone gets to know each other. But the Barnham people have come and are doing a great job already.

“There’s a buzz around the club, which hasn’t been around for some time.”

The club will also keep Mill Road in Slindon at County League standard to allow reserve and under-18 games to be staged should Crabtree Park not be available.

Pre-season dates for training and details of pre-season friendlies will be announced shortly as the rebranding of the club continues.