Clacton Sport

Ballard issues rallying cry to supporters

4:16pm Thursday 2nd September 2010

FC CLACTON co-owner David Ballard has issued a rallying cry to supporters ahead of National Non-League Day.

The initiative is taking place on Saturday, with England in Euro 2012 qualifying action tomorrow night and no fixtures in the Barclays Premier League or npower Championship.

As such, supporters up and down the country are being urged to get behind their local non-league team instead.

Clacton have a home date with Leiston in the Ridgeons League premier division (kick-off 3pm) and will be desperate to exorcise the demons of Tuesday’s limp FA Cup exit at the hands of Colney Heath.

The Seasiders crashed 5-1 in the preliminary round replay, with their consolation being a rising, angled drive from Sean Hillier.

It was the skipper’s fourth goal of the season and came five minutes after the interval.

Keen to move on, Ballard told the Gazette: “We’re looking forward to a big game and hopefully we’ll get a decent crowd, for National Non-League Day.

“What we’re asking people to do is support their local, home-grown side – even if it’s just a one-off.

“We’re the town’s football club and getting extra people through the turnstile can make all the difference.

“Tuesday’s result was obviously bitterly disappointing and no-one likes losing.

“But we’ve got a new-look team and it takes time to get things right. I’m still confident we’ll get there.”

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