Becks chairman: There's nothing to be frightened off!

Wednesday 11th November 2009

BECKENHAM TOWN chairman Chris McCarthy says money will be the motivation to knock Carterton out of the FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Mr McCarthy, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, hopes for a bumper crowd of over 200 at Eden Park Avenue as the club bid to reach the last 64 of the competition following their suspension from the competition.

Carterton arrive in Kent struggling in the bottom three of the Hellenic League and have yet won a league game on their travels, and Beckenham Town are presently enjoying a fine campaign, third in the Bulmers Cider Kent League.

But the Becks chairman warned, “League and Cup are two different kettles off fish! I think once you get into the FA Vase second round they’ll raise their game. It’s their cup final, their seasons obviously dead as far as their league’s concerned. Perhaps they’ve got their eggs in one basket?

“We’ve got no-one to be frightened off. We’ve got a home draw Saturday, touch wood if we get through that one we’ll have another home draw.

“You never know where it could end?”

Mr McCarthy has given the players a financial incentive to beat the struggling Oxfordshire side on Saturday - but wants a big turnout to watch the second round tie.

“The players have got a pool, they’re lining their pockets as we’re lining our pockets a little bit and a club of our stature we need as much money as we can coming through the gate so hopefully we’ll get a good crowd of 200-300 people hopefully,” he said.

“We normally have 80 (supporters watching us) and they’ll bring a few down. I’d be surprised if we get under 200 on Saturday, which is a great crowd for us.”

Manager Jason Huntley, meanwhile, admits this is a massive game for the club.

“A massive game for us, it’s the second round of the FA Vase, it’s nice to get a win and hopefully get another home game, that’ll be the plan anyway,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It will be great for the players to play in front of good crowds, they have their chance to put themselves in the reckoning.

The club’s biggest ever signing, Teddy Sheringham, will NOT be making his debut on Saturday, as Huntley explains, “He’s on holiday unfortunately, he‘s away in Mauritius. I’d say there’s every chance of him playing if we get through this round."

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

Beckenham Town v Carterton

FA Carlsberg Vase Second Round

Saturday 14th November 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3JL