The Staff
Ian Batten
Manager
This is Ian’s 4th full season as a manager (joint with his brother George). He also captained Sheppey United as a player.
Last season he steered The Sports to 5th in the League whilst being the highest scorers in the division.
He also won manager of the month twice during the 24/25 season. The award in November was on the back of 7 consecutive wins and then again in March after The Sports went undefeated in 11 games.
George Batten
CHAIRMAN/Player Manager
George is chairman of the club, but also player manager, with his tough tackling no nonsense style he sits in front of the back four.
He has bundles of experience having played over 100 games for Sheppey United.
George shared manager of the month twice during the 24/25 season with his brother Ian.
gary rogers
first team coach
In 2019 Gary was offered the opportunity to manage and coach K Sports Res in the KCFL Prem working at the club for 4 years. Due to K Sports demise he took the majority of his squad to Kings Hill FC.
Where his role as Assistant manager helped a young management and coaching team reshape the squad working closely with players to build a strong dressing room and maintaining standards that he left with the club before joining The Sports.
dAvE DEFRIES
goal keeping coach
Played in goal for 30 years in the Essex senior leagues for Ilford, Leytonstone Utd, Snaresbrook and Croydon.
Dave also coached for many years from youth to adult level as well as spending time at the legendary Bob Wilson coaching school.
He is already making a difference to the Sports keepers and is enjoying new role at the Sports,
Ben Brennan
VICE CHAIRMAN/Secretary
Nicknamed the Mr Encyclopaedia of non league football, Ben is club secretary and vice chairman.
He is very much an unsung hero at the club and massively popular with the players.
The club could not operate with out his tireless work and dedication.
rob challis
club assistant
Previously Secretary at Sheppey United during the late eighties.
Rob has now returned to the island and is looking to use his vast experience by helping the Sports.
He was club secretary at Binfield FC in Berkshire, where he worked for 25 years. Whilst there he over saw promotions through the Hellenic League to Step 4.
Rob's proudest moment was helping Binfield reach the 2021 FA Vase final at Wembley vs Warrington Rylands
Shaun
GameDay Assistant
Shaun takes on various ad hoc duties around the club. His valuable time and effort allows the coaching staff to focus on preparing the lads for the game.
We'd be stuck without him!
Malc Fell
Photographer
Not many teams can brag that their club photographer shoots Premier League, EFL and Champions League games, but the Sports can.
You can see more of his work here.
www.mwfphotography.co.uk
JOEL HOLLAND
SOCIAL MEDIA manager & GRAPHIC designer
Joel is the club's graphic designer and social media manager.
He is also an accomplished photographer in his own right, as he has been recently published in Trucking Magazine and Digital Camera Magazine for his motorsport photography at Brands Hatch.