AFC Wimbledon's visit will help us out financially, says Beckenham Town boss Jason Huntley

Beckenham’s amateur players are relishing their biggest night of the season so far, as they plot to create the biggest giant-killing in their history.

“Biggest game this club has had since, I don’t know how long,” said Huntley, ahead of the Eden Park Avenue clash, which should attract the Kent League club’s largest attendance of the season since 240 watched their FA Carlsberg Vase Third Round exit to King’s Lynn Town back in January.

“We’re expecting quite a good crowd.  I see they got beat on Friday night. I think the league’s over now. I think Crawley are going to win the league now as they have got four games in hand at the top of the tree - so Wimbledon could well put a strong side out against us.

“It will be good for everyone associated with Beckenham, good for the lads’ to play good games like that.  That’s what we want to play in.”

Beckenham suffered their sixth home Kent League defeat on their immaculate playing surface at the weekend, going down 2-0 to league leaders Hythe Town.

But Huntley expects his side to raise their game against Terry Brown’s professionals.

“I think we’ll see a different side on Tuesday, to be honest,” he said. 

“We tend to get our games up against the bigger teams – I’m not saying Hythe weren’t, they was, I expected us to play a lot better than we did – but I think our biggest game is Tuesday and I think a few of the boys had their mind on that, if I’m honest, which is wrong. I’m not happy about that.”

The winners will be at home to either Thamesmead Town (Ryman One North) or Hendon (Ryman Premier), who lock horns in the Quarter-Finals at Bayliss Avenue next Wednesday.

The Beckenham boss added, “We’re looking forward to it on Tuesday and hopefully, if we get a win, we’ve got another home draw in the semi, which will be fantastic.”

Goalkeeper, Nick Blue, meanwhile, will face a fitness test before Tuesday’s game after being taken to hospital after Saturday’s game with a gashed knee.

Former Maidstone United goalkeeper, Harry Lee, meanwhile, is on stand-by, if the former Orpington stopper doesn’t make it.

Huntley unveiled some good news, ahead of next season, regarding facilities at Eden Park Avenue, which he revealed costs them £600 per month to rent from Bromley council.

“We’re actually been passed to play in the FA Cup and FA Vase if we do certain improvements”, said the manager, who also puts his hand in his pocket to keep the club afloat.

“We need a couple of outdoor toilets, something needs to be done to the walkway to the pitch; something needs to be done inside the changing rooms and the main thing is the turnstiles, they need to be enclosed.  We’ve got the materials to be getting that done.  We’ve had them for a little while. We just haven’t done it yet!

“As for the stand, we’re just actually putting in for grant.  We’ve got the club secretary (Peter Palmer) and the person who does the website (Geoff Ward), who does a lot of work off the field, and he’s trying to put in for a grant.

“If we’re successful with that we can crack on with the stand then.”

When asked whether the long-awaited structure will be up at the ground next season, Huntley replied, “If I’m being honest, I’m not sure at the moment because of the timescale of it but hopefully we’ll start on it, that’s what we’re looking for.”

He added: “As long as we’re in the FA Cup and FA Vase, because it’s good money in it for us and we need to be in it anyway.  The two good runs we’ve had this year helped us with the rent and the rates and running the place.”

Attracting average gates of 73 means it’s a constant struggle to make ends meet, that’s why Tuesday night’s game against AFC Wimbledon has come at the right time.

“We don’t pay players now, but they do get treated in other ways.  If they need boots and they get taken on holiday at the end of the season etc for a jolly up and they get looked after at the bar,” explained Huntley.

“Financially everything now, all the bills are up to date, which is a bonus for us because we had a couple of problems with a few of the bills but they’ve been sorted out now.  Everything’s coming out by Direct Debit now.

“It’s my money funding it at the moment.”

Huntley added that he is still looking for some investors to help him out financially.

“I’m looking to try to get a couple of people to come in to try and take a bit of pressure of us,” he said.

“I know I’ve told you before, I spoke to a couple of guys that we’re interested but they didn’t come across.  There’s another couple of lads. I’m optimistic I could get one or two on board with me to help us out so we’ll keep our fingers crossed.

“The AFC Wimbledon game will help us out massively and after Tuesday we’ve got all the (local) Cup Finals here as well, which is a massive help to us.

“The (local) league’s are always good to us as they use our ground.  We’ve got seven Cup Finals down here and they’re spread out over the next month or so.”

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that the turnstiles will be opening earlier than usual, at 6pm.

Admission charges are £7 (adults), £3 (concessions) and £2 (children)

Visit Beckenham Town’s website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

Beckenham Town  v  AFC Wimbledon
London Senior Cup (Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding Company London Ltd) Quarter-Final
Tuesday 22^nd March 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At 374 Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3JL