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Football fury aer price hike
PARENTS of tomorrow’s poten- tial football stars are slamming a 100% price hike for coaching at Maidstone’sGallagher Stadium. Soccer Elite runs classes through-
out Kent and has taken over the training at Pebbles, the junior sec- tion of Maidstone United FC. But the former pay-as-you-play system, which cost parents of youngsters, aged from four to six, £4 a session, has been replaced by a monthly direct debit scheme of £24.20, which equals £8 a session for the 36weeks the classes are run – even though many of the coaches are the same people. Emma Gregson had hoped to
send her son Matthew (4) to Peb- bles at the start of the new season, but she is so outraged at the club’s action she has reconsidered. Mrs Gregson said: “It cannot be possible that Pebbles was so unvi- able to warrant a price hike of 100%. Soccer Elite will offer noth- ing more than Steve Bunn and his team did for half the price.” Mr Bunn started children's foot-
ball clubs in Oakwood Park many years ago and has latterly coached children at Maidstone United, sup- ported by coaches from Soccer Elite. Last year, the company’s founder, ex-professional footballer Lee Spiller, was appointed techni- cal adviser to Maidstone United’s youth section. Together with Tony
Browne, they manage football academies at a variety of venues to suit all ages and abilities. Soccer Elite claims to offer “‘high-quality coaching led by SEFA professional coaches who have a history of developing play- ers to join professional academies such as Chelsea, Arsenal and Tot- tenham”. It also offers “opportuni- ties to play fixtures against professional clubs such as Chelsea, Charlton and Millwall”. But Mrs Gregson said: “I have brought my nephew to Pebbles for years and this set-up was already in place. “I feel Maidstone United’s man- agement team has sold out on the youngsters of the town, in ex- change for financial gain.” Bill Williams, chief executive at
the Stones, said a fee increase was the onlyway tomove the develop- ment programme forward and cover new costs. He said the club “will not gain a
penny from the increase and all the extra monies created will go to Soc- cer Elite to pay for coaches and equipment”. Mrs Gregson added it was a “shameful decision to limit access to youth football to the well-off and those who wish to push elite selection over sourcing those with greatest potential”. Soccer Elite declined to respond to our requests for a comment.
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in the air... exciting and varied flying programme illustrating the full range of model flying
From left, event organiser Terry Mancini, Tudor Park general manager Michael Regenhardt and Glenn Hoddle
Soccer legends tee off at hotel
AN ARRAY of iconic international football legends came to Maidstone to play for the Marriott Mancini Trophy at Marriott Tudor Park, Bearsted. As part of the National Trilby Tour Championship week hosted by Marriott Tudor Park, this special golfing event offered an opportunity for local players and corporate teams to play alongside personal footballing heroes from yesteryear. High profile names including Glenn Hoddle, Ray Clemence, Russell Osman, Luther Blissett and Dave Beasant took part in a day which ultimately saw Southampton’s Jason Dodd prevail as the overall winner with 39 points. The corporate team event was won by Gillwall with 91 points.
outhern model show back at Headcorn a great day out for all the family!
This year will offer lots of opportunities for beginners to have-a-go, plus on the ground… spectators can enjoy the sight and sound of remote controlled car racing whilst being stalked by tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles. on the high seas… or rather in the water tank, epic sea battles will be recreated. plenty to eat, drink and buy as well as activities for the less model-minded members of the family.
ticket prices pow
child (5 to 16 years), adult (+17 years), family ticket consists of 2 adults & 2 children
Camping is available – for more information visit:
www.headcornevents.co.uk
T: 0845 652 62 63 @southmodelshow /SouthernModelShow Maidstone East September 2014 5
gate price
£10.00 Child
£12.00 adult
£35.00 family
advance tickets
£8.00 child
£10.00 adult
£30.00 family
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