chips and gravy
New member
I see that St Leonards have finally called it a day and folded. Wasn't this the club that was bankrolled for a while by the lottery winner? I think they were the club where Sasa Ilic started
Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊
RIP St Leonards
- Thread starter chips and gravy
- Start date
wallington seagull
Active member
- Sep 8, 2003
- 426
I played against them many moons ago when they were a park side called Stamco in the Eastbourne and Hastings District League.
Vinyl Richie
New member
Played against them this year, what a shame.....
Stamco FC continued to enjoy much success on the field of play and by finishing second in the Sussex County League in 1995/96, the club earned itself a place in the Dr. Martens (Southern) League. To be admitted, however, league officials were insistent that the club name should contain its location. At the same time, local businessman and National Lottery jackpot winner, Mark Gardiner, joined forces with Stamco's chairman, Leon Sheppardson (also chairman of Stamco Timber) at the helm of the club. A new club name, St Leonards Stamcroft FC, was chosen. This satisfied Dr. Martens League requirements and at the same time marked the financial input of Mark Gardiner (whose local business was called 'Croft Glass').
Two years later, in 1998, with Mark Gardiner having left the club some time earlier, Leon Sheppardson decided to step down as club chairman. Having lost the services of not one, but two millionaires, the 1998/99 season marked the beginning of a new era for the club. A further name change took place, this time to 'St Leonards FC'..
Two years later, in 1998, with Mark Gardiner having left the club some time earlier, Leon Sheppardson decided to step down as club chairman. Having lost the services of not one, but two millionaires, the 1998/99 season marked the beginning of a new era for the club. A further name change took place, this time to 'St Leonards FC'..
SeagullSimon
New member
R.I.P St Leonards
Jameson
Active member
Shame this happens. They has a few ex Albion players in their ranks in the past - Gary Chivers, Steve Gatting...
I could never understand why they played in a ground next door (literally) to Hastings Town(United) - was there ever a case for one team in Hastings and St Leonards?
Is this a lesson for Eastbourne Borough - don't try to go too far too soon?
I could never understand why they played in a ground next door (literally) to Hastings Town(United) - was there ever a case for one team in Hastings and St Leonards?
Is this a lesson for Eastbourne Borough - don't try to go too far too soon?
The case for one team in Hastings and St. Leonards has been pushed by the council for years. Supporters views (when both clubs were attracting very good average gates) have always been strongly divided. The council long since said it would only give its backing to one side.
They didn't always play next door to each other, Stamco (as was) were originally located at their ground at Pannell Lane on Hastings outskirts.
I remember going up there to watch an impromptu match between Albion and Stamco to familiarise new signing Mark Farrington with the rest of the team (a young Ormerod in goal too, first time I'd seen him). The BHAFC mini-bus got lost trying to find their small ground. Remember Mal Stuart saying 'never trust an Irishman (Paul McCarthy) with a map'.
My workmate (Ian Menzies) played for Stamco at Centre half and reckoned Farrington was the easiest guy he'd ever marked, he said he spent the whole game whinging to the ref. My mate could not believe we'd paid a six figure fee for him. Remember Barry Lloyd was there looking pee'd off and refused to discuss anything with a group of us who had gone up to watch. He'd wanted the whole thing exercise kept secret I think.
They didn't always play next door to each other, Stamco (as was) were originally located at their ground at Pannell Lane on Hastings outskirts.
I remember going up there to watch an impromptu match between Albion and Stamco to familiarise new signing Mark Farrington with the rest of the team (a young Ormerod in goal too, first time I'd seen him). The BHAFC mini-bus got lost trying to find their small ground. Remember Mal Stuart saying 'never trust an Irishman (Paul McCarthy) with a map'.
My workmate (Ian Menzies) played for Stamco at Centre half and reckoned Farrington was the easiest guy he'd ever marked, he said he spent the whole game whinging to the ref. My mate could not believe we'd paid a six figure fee for him. Remember Barry Lloyd was there looking pee'd off and refused to discuss anything with a group of us who had gone up to watch. He'd wanted the whole thing exercise kept secret I think.
Jameson
Active member
Does this mean (demise of St Leonards) that HBC will now through it's weight and support behind Hastings?
Who owns the grounds? If the council, could they sell one (for development) to finance the improvement of the other and innvest in the team?
Who owns the grounds? If the council, could they sell one (for development) to finance the improvement of the other and innvest in the team?
Hastings United is also up for sale. Mick Maplesden (another Hastings based lottery winner although of smaller proportions to Gardiner I believe) is the current Chairman. He stepped in to save them some time back but did it purely as some sort of favour and doesn't want to be heavily involved. I've heard reports of a scheme in the offing trying to attract investors at £1K a time, allowing supporters and small businesses to buy in I presume.
It is fair to say that HBC has displayed little or no interest in anything football wise (or any sport wise, facilities here awful) in the past. It is considered throughout the connurbation as a joke in almost all areas of operation anyway. It is mostly assisted area grant based spending on poncey artistic seafront lighting or ridiculous architectural designs that will never get public acceptance. Its last real football related involvement was with Hastings Town where it got locked in a battle over who was responsible for repairs to the main seated stand. It had fallen into a dangerous state of repair and I believe was council owned. If I remember rightly they refused (for some reason) to contribute to the much needed repairs to make it safe.
Both sites would definetly be targetted for housing if the local council got the chance I am sure. Anyone that's been to either can appreciate why as it is totally surrounded by suburban housing.
Sceptically, and without fact our foundation, I predict some sort of council instigated relocation plan to some crappy site (next to Pebsham tip probably where a large complex of pitches already exists), which will fall through and Hastings United too will go to the wall.
Great shame about St. Leonards. I remember watching them (as Stamco) playing the Albion at the Dripping Pan in the Sussex Senior Cup Final many years back now.
It is fair to say that HBC has displayed little or no interest in anything football wise (or any sport wise, facilities here awful) in the past. It is considered throughout the connurbation as a joke in almost all areas of operation anyway. It is mostly assisted area grant based spending on poncey artistic seafront lighting or ridiculous architectural designs that will never get public acceptance. Its last real football related involvement was with Hastings Town where it got locked in a battle over who was responsible for repairs to the main seated stand. It had fallen into a dangerous state of repair and I believe was council owned. If I remember rightly they refused (for some reason) to contribute to the much needed repairs to make it safe.
Both sites would definetly be targetted for housing if the local council got the chance I am sure. Anyone that's been to either can appreciate why as it is totally surrounded by suburban housing.
Sceptically, and without fact our foundation, I predict some sort of council instigated relocation plan to some crappy site (next to Pebsham tip probably where a large complex of pitches already exists), which will fall through and Hastings United too will go to the wall.
Great shame about St. Leonards. I remember watching them (as Stamco) playing the Albion at the Dripping Pan in the Sussex Senior Cup Final many years back now.
they were all shouting at the start of the season that they would walk the county league and that they were too good for it ...its a pity and maybe a blessing in disguise for some of the lower teams in the county league as there will be one less club to go down ....
Jameson
Active member
I often wonder why the local paper doesn't push on issues like these - when you consider the players that have come from Hastings - with the mega £ Millions of regeneration cash that has gone into Hastings and St Leonards it's a shame someone cannot make a link to sport/football etc......
I suppose it needs a local champion to push it on....
I suppose it needs a local champion to push it on....