Status fra vores engelske venner i Sittingbourne

(English below) Mens vi stadig kæmper med om oprykning herhjemme, er det tid til en lille status fra vores venskabsklub Sittingbourne FC, som fredag den 2. maj afsluttede sæsonen på dramatisk vis.

I den engelske by Sittingbourne, 75 kilometer øst for London, har “The Brickies” haft en fantastisk – ja, faktisk historisk – sæson. På nærmest mirakuløs vis endte den dog uden oprykning fra Englands 8. bedste række, Isthmian League South East.

I denne række er det kun vinderen, der rykker direkte op. Nummer 2 møder nummer 5 i en playoff-semifinale, mens nummer 3 møder nummer 4. Vinderne mødes herefter i en playoff-finale om den sidste oprykningsplads. The Brickies hentede imponerende 101 point i sæsonens 42 kampe – hvilket i de fleste år ville være nok til direkte oprykning. Men i år præsterede Ramsgate hele 109 point og snuppede førstepladsen.

Dermed måtte Sittingbourne ud i to playoff-kampe. Som det højest placerede hold i rækken gik Sittingbourne ind i play-off-fasen med hjemmebanefordel i både semifinalen og en eventuel finale. Første udfordring var Merstham, der sluttede som nummer 5 i rækken. Første halvleg endte målløs, men efter pausen eksploderede kampen.

The Brickies satte tempoet op og viste, hvorfor de havde hentet 101 point i løbet af sæsonen. På trods af modstand fra et hårdtkæmpende Merstham-hold lykkedes det Sittingbourne at vinde 4-2 – og dermed booke en plads i finalen. Et enkelt skridt fra oprykning.

Finalen mod Burgess Hill Town blev spillet fredag den 2. maj – samme aften som vi selv var i kamp i Middelfart. Med mere end 1600 tilskuere på lægterne og en intens stemning på ’The Staxson Stadium’ tog The Brickies tidligt kontrollen og bragte sig foran før pausen.

Men Burgess Hill nægtede at give op. De kæmpede sig tilbage i anden halvleg og udlignede, og dermed gik kampen i forlænget spilletid. Nervøsiteten steg for hvert minut – begge hold havde chancer, men ingen kunne finde vej til netmaskerne. Alt skulle afgøres fra ellevemeterpletten.

En hel sæsons arbejde, en historisk pointhøst og drømmen om oprykning – alt det stod nu og balancerede på kanten af en straffesparkskonkurrence. Det var drama for alle pengene i Englands 8. bedste række.

FA Trophy-eventyret

Det er ikke kun i ligaen, at Sittingbourne har gjort sig bemærket. I FA Trophy – pokalturneringen for hold fra niveau 5 (National League) til 8 (Bl.a. Isthmian South East) – leverede klubben sin bedste præstation nogensinde. Som et af de lavest rangerede hold nåede de hele vejen til kvartfinalen i klubbens 140-årige historie.

Undervejs slog de fire klubber ud fra højere niveauer – heriblandt traditionsklubben Southend United fra National League (niveau 5). Oversat til danske forhold svarer det til, at en 3. divisionsklub slår ét 2. divisionshold, to 1. divisionshold og ét Superligahold ud, før de ryger ud til endnu et Superligahold i kvartfinalen.

Nu venter en ny sæson i Østengland, og når skuffelsen over den missede oprykning har lagt sig, er der ingen tvivl om, at optimismen igen vil spire. The Brickies vil være klar til at angribe rækken – denne gang som en af de helt store favoritter.
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Update from Our English Friends in Sittingbourne

While we’re still battling for promotion here at home, it’s time for a quick update from our friend club, Sittingbourne FC, who wrapped up their season in dramatic fashion on Friday, May 2.

In the English town of Sittingbourne, located 75 kilometers east of London, The Brickies have had a fantastic – indeed, historic – season. Yet in almost miraculous way, they still missed out on promotion from England’s 8th tier, the Isthmian League South East.

In this division, only the team finishing first is promoted automatically. The team in 2nd plays the 5th-placed team in one playoff semi-final, while 3rd faces 4th in the other. The winners then meet in a final for the last promotion spot. The Brickies collected an impressive 101 points across 42 games – a total that would secure promotion in most seasons. But this year, Ramsgate managed a stunning 109 points to claim top spot.

That meant Sittingbourne entered the playoffs. As the highest-ranked team, they had home advantage for both the semi-final and, potentially, the final. First up was Merstham, who finished 5th. The first half ended goalless, but the game exploded into life after the break.

The Brickies shifted gears and showed exactly why they had racked up 101 points during the season. Despite a determined effort from Merstham, Sittingbourne came out on top with a 4–2 win – securing their place in the final. One step from promotion.

The final against Burgess Hill Town was played on Friday, May 2 – the same evening we played in Middelfart. With over 1,600 fans in attendance and an electric atmosphere at The Staxson Stadium, The Brickies took early control and went ahead before the break.

But Burgess Hill refused to surrender. They fought back in the second half to equalize, sending the match into extra time. Tension mounted with every passing minute – both sides had chances, but neither could find the net. It all came down to a penalty shootout.

A full season’s work, a historic points tally, and a dream of promotion – everything now rested on spot kicks. It was high drama in England’s 8th tier.

The FA Trophy Adventure

Sittingbourne hasn’t just made waves in the league. In the FA Trophy – the national cup competition for clubs between tiers 5 (National League) and 8 (including Isthmian South East) – the club delivered its best performance ever. As one of the lowest-ranked sides, they reached the quarterfinals for the first time in their 140-year history.

Along the way, they knocked out four teams from higher divisions – including Southend United from the National League (tier 5). To put that in Danish terms, it would be like a 3rd-division club beating one 2nd-division team, two 1st-division teams, and a Superliga side before falling to another Superliga club in the quarterfinals.

Now, a new season awaits in East England. And once the disappointment of missing promotion fades, there’s no doubt optimism will return. The Brickies will be ready to go again – this time as one of the favorites for promotion.