Sheppey hold up Maidstone at Stupple Field Picture: Andy Payton

By Kevin Redsull

Sheppey chairman Neil Golding described Saturday’s 17-5 win over Maidstone as one of the most ‘satisfying’ victories during his long association with the club.

Golding, who played more than 300 matches for the Stupple Field club, believes much of Sheppey’s current success is due to the way the community has got behind the team.

Sheppey’s first league victory over their local rivals was their fifth in six matches in London 3 South East since winning promotion from Kent 1 last season.

Golding admitted: "We are all getting nosebleeds at the moment and one of the reasons behind our success is that we have now got some key people in the community who are supporting the club financially.

"To compete where we are now you have got to have that because, as a club, we can’t afford to pay players.

"We can support our coach and physio but that’s about it and so it’s about trying to draw in as much help as you can and, during my time as chairman, I have tried to centralise and organise that support."