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9th May 2006

FAVERSHAM TOWN'S Ray Leader had a few drinks with butcher pal Chris
Barkaway - and they ended up pie-eyed!

The result of those few, sociable halfs between old friends is The
Townie, a delicious Thai chicken pie that fans can now buy in aid of
the Salters Lane club.

The Townie - which bears a Lion motif in homage to the club's crest
- is now on sale in two different sizes at Faversham's Barkaway's
shops as well as the clubhouse on match days.

TOO HOT TO HANDLE...Faversham Town's Ray Leader (right) realises a burning ambition by getting his hands on a lovely pair of pies alongside (from left) Julian Beal, Chris Barkaway and Bob Mason

And Chris said he was only too happy to get involved with the
ongoing effort to raise funds for Faversham Town.

He said: "When the club was getting off the ground again, Ray asked
alot of local businesses for support.

"So over a few drinks we came up with this idea of The Townie. Alot
of the football league sides have their own pies and there is even a
competition to find the best one.

"For example, Wolves do a chicken Balti pie which is very popular
up in the Midlands. We then came up with our own recipe for a Thai
Chicken pie which has fresh cream and coconut.

"The pies have also got a Lion motif on the top after the club's
three lions crest. We've been selling the pies for a while now and
people really like them. The reaction has been great."

Trustee Ray, chairman Bob Mason and skipper Julian Beal met up with
Chris on Saturday to launch the Townie - and now hopes are high that
A J Barkaway Ltd have another champion on their hands.

WE ARE THE CHOMPIANS...Chris Barkaway (left) shows off the new Townie pies with (from left) Ray Leader, Bob Mason and Julian Beal

The firm - which has shops in Ospringe Street and West Street - was
voted 2005 Pie Champion by the South of England Guild of Butchers and
Chris said: "Last year our pies won awards and next time we are going
to enter the Townie and see how we get on.

"The football club's revival has been fantastic. Hats off to all
the people at Faversham Town. We're all behind them. I am involved
with a number of voluntary groups and the way the community here
rallies round in times of hardship is superb.

"The attendances have been great this season and I saw they had
more than 400 for the last home game of the season. However, I'm
confident we can match demand - even if I have to stay up all night
baking extra pies!"

Ray, who is also the club's commercial manager, said the Townie was
a symbol for the club's revival.

He explained: "They said that bringing senior football back to the
Town was pie in the sky. Well, two years on we have a thriving
football club and to celebrate we now have our own pie!

"Some people really didn't believe that football would ever be
played at Salters Lane again but thanks to a tremendous effort by the
whole community we are now on the verge of promotion to the Kent
League.

"We also have a very successful reserve side and a youth team on
the way next season.

"We have raised just under £100,000 and every penny has been spent
on rebuilding the football club. Now we would like the community to
rally round and support the Town by making the Townie a big success.
Give us your vote by eating one of our pies.

"Chris Barkaway and all his staff have done wonders with this pie.
It's very tasty and we hope all our fans think so too."

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