Just reward for Rye chairman

Clive Taylor, who was the driving force behind the recovery from last August’s arson attack on the Sidney Allnutt Pavilion at The Salts, was one of six Sussex County FA Football Workforce Volunteer Award winners.

After receiving a letter of confirmation through the post on Tuesday morning, he said: “It came out of the blue really. It’s nice to be recognised, but that’s not really me, I won’t get too excited about it.”

Taylor, whose wife Pat is renowned throughout the Sussex County League for her marvellous hospitality at matches, worked tirelessly to get the club back playing at The Salts, as well as running his own business.

“It’s not just me, it’s a team of us,” added Taylor, who is understood to have been nominated by Richard King, Mark Richardson and Martin Rolph - all members of the Rye faithful.

Having secured temporary accommodation in the form of portable buildings to allow Rye to play at The Salts again, Taylor is hopeful that work will soon begin on a permanent structure to replace the fire-destroyed pavilion.

Rye United secretary Roger Bond said: “Without Clive it (the football club) definitely wouldn’t have carried on. People have no idea the amount of effort Clive puts in to keeping the club afloat.

The full article will appear in Friday’s Rye Observer.