Deal Town has a great history and I am proud to be manager, says Albie Barker

NEWLY-APPOINTED Deal Town manager Albie Barker says he feels he is ready for the challenge to guide the east Kent club towards the middle of the table come the end of the season.

Derek Hares resigned on 8 October and Barker took charge of team affairs last Thursday after a spell as caretaker.

Chairman Dayle Melody paid tribute to the commitment put in by club stalwart Hares.

“Deal Town have sadly accepted the resignation of long-serving club man and first team manager Derek Hares,” said Mr Melody.

“In such sad times I write this with the upmost respect and honour for a gentleman and friend.

“Decisions within an organisation like Deal Town FC are always very difficult, especially when it’s to do with such an asset like Del.

“Over ten years of voluntary work as first team manager through good times and the not so good, one thing no one can take away from Del is he never let anyone down! Never! And often not even a thanks for his efforts.

“Rain or shine, Sunday or Boxing Day Del will be preparing – he never switched off!

“Progress, stability and development has been an aim of the board since being appointed as chair. With this in mind the last thing we wanted to do is create any more upheaval, to an already great club.

“No one can take away the fact that without Del, Deal Town FC would not be on the steady road to recovery.

“Deal without Del isn’t possible. He’s like a crutch and will always be welcomed home.

“Deal salute and thank you Del, don’t ever change!!!! This is not goodbye. We have many more journeys to travel together.”

Barker, 28, admits he has big shoes to fill, having been promoted from reserve team manager.

The Dover resident had a spell coaching in America, before managing the youngsters’ at his home-town club, before moving to become the reserve team coach at Faversham Town in 2011.

In 2012 he became Deal Town’s reserve team manager and took charge as caretaker manager following Hares’ resignation last month.

“It’s a great opportunity for me,” said Barker. 

“I feel ready for the challenge and I am looking forward to the pressures of the job. 

“Deal Town FC has a great history and I am proud to be the manager of the club.

“Derek was a fantastic servant for Deal Town. A man who put his heart and soul to the club. I hope that when Derek feels ready that he stays within some capacity on the board. He has a fantastic knowledge of football within east Kent.”

Deal Town are presently languishing in the bottom three in the Southern Counties East Football League table, having won three and lost six of their opening nine league games.

“I would like us to at least finish in the top half of the table,” said Barker.

“The league this year will be very exciting. Most teams can beat each other on their day. 

“We are out of all cup competitions, so we should be doing our best to finish as high as possible.

“There are many teams around us and if we put a few wins together we will soon climb the league.”

Steve Chapman’s Cray Valley ended the club’s interest in the Macron Southern Counties East Football League Cup, 8-3 on aggregate.

The Millers’ came away from The Charles Sports Ground with a 3-2 win on Saturday in the second-leg, as Deal Town had two players sent-off.

“This is the fourth time that the two sides have met this season and we are yet to take anything from those games,” said Barker.

“This was our best chance, however, the game saw a lack of communication from the officials’ that led to us having a man sent off.

“Ryan Philpott was struck by a Cray player, blood was streaming from his nose. We are aware that he needed permission to leave the pitch. We asked the referee’s assistant who gave permission, when there was a break in play the referee informed me that he would be booking Ryan for leaving the field.

“When I asked the assistant to inform the referee that he gave permission he stated that he would tell him at half-time.

“Between the blood incident and the half-time whistle Ryan was cautioned again for striking the ball towards goal literally as the referee blew his whistle.

“Two ridiculous cautions that, in my opinion, were unnecessary.”

All five goals were scored during the second half.

“We took the lead and were the better side,” reflected Barker.

“Cray equalised and we again took the lead, both goals from Scott Punton.

“We then stupidly switched off at a set-play and allowed Cray to equalise.

“When we had ten (men) we were dictating the game. However, Punton was then sent off for two yellow cards. Again, another day, another referee and both tackles are not worthy of a booking.

“I really was left disappointed by the officials’ performance.

“Down to nine, my lads were still trying to win the game.  We already had a 5-1 deficit to make up and the lads’ had put in a great effort to win the second leg, this led us to concede as Cray hit us on the counter.

“I felt for our lads as they could not have given more. However, our second half performance in the first leg meant we did not deserve to win the tie.

“Cray will shock a few teams this year. They like to play. We wish them well.”

When asked what it will take the club to match their aspirations, Barker replied: “We are desperate for the new building of our clubhouse.  A start date has yet to be confirmed as there are some grants we are looking to receive, which will make it a fantastic community hub.

“When built we are hoping the new facilities will be some of the best in the Southern Counties East Football League.

“The club has half of its catchment area in the English Channel. As a result attracting players to Deal can be tough, but with good facilities and a chairman in Dayle Melody, who wants the best for Deal, I am confident we would be able to compete with the best the league has to offer.”

Deal Town travel to fourth-placed Ashford United on Tuesday night and to league leaders Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.

“Both of these games are very tough,” admitted Barker.

“Come the end of April I believe one of these teams will be crowned champions.

“However, we will go to both games with the intention of taking something from the game. We have nearly all of our squad available and if we work hard as a unit there is no reason why we can’t take anything from the game.”

Barker has already made changes to his squad as he bids to begin the climb up the table in their last remaining 23 league games.

“Last week we released Jake Gess and Nick Shaw,” he revealed. “There are a number of reasons why they were released, ultimately we needed a shake-up and to bring some fresh faces in.

“We are talking to a player who is a proven match winner with a lot of hunger. We are hoping to conclude his signing this week.

“We have signed Jack Tanner and Dan Miller, both are very talented footballers who progressed from our successful reserve set-up. Jack has played consistently at this level before and he still feels he has something to prove.”

Barker, meanwhile, welcomed the words of encouragement from Tommy Sampson, who guided Deal Town to FA Vase glory at the old Wembley Stadium back in 2000.

“The support I have received from the football family has been fantastic,” he said.

“Tommy Sampson called me to wish me well. If I can achieve half of what he did we are in for some great times again at Deal.”

Visit Deal Town’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/dealtown

Ashford United  v  Deal Town
Southern Counties East Football League
Tuesday 5^th November 2013
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ