Former Premier League ace set for Herne Bay move

Wednesday 07th July 2010

HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey hopes the arrival of a former Premier League ace will inspire his side to go one better this season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Halsey guided the club to runners-up in the Kent League last season and success over Sevenoaks Town to land the Kent League Cup - and everything is geared up to go one better and clinch promotion into the Ryman League.

Herne Bay begin their pre-season campaign with a visit from Blue Square Bet South side Welling United at Winch’s Field on Saturday.

Wings’ player-manager, Jamie Day, revealed earlier today that he will bring 22 players to the game, and Halsey, who was also speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk is expected to do something similar.

Former Herne Bay midfield playmaker, Darren Marsden, is expected to make his Welling debut, as he is currently on trial at Park View Road.

“Everyone’s there, apart from Marzo, hopefully, for his sake will be playing for Welling against us on Saturday,” said Halsey.

“There’s some good numbers and by the time we play them we would have had five sessions, so the boys will be up to some level of fitness, but it’s quite a hard game to open your pre-season with.

“But there’s nothing like getting a bit of match fitness for 90 minutes against a good Welling side, so it will be a good work out for us, irrelevant of what the score is.”

Halsey added: “I’ve just spoken to Dean Frost, who is the coach there, and is a good friend of mine. I’ll be changing it around at half-time so I will be having two different elevens so I’ve got plenty to chose from.

“There will be a good work-out for the two sets of eleven, they will have a few trialists, which I will have. I’m looking forward to it - it’s a good one to start with, I think.”

Halsey would like to tell the Herne Bay faithful that results do not matter in pre-season - it’s what happens from 7 August (when the league season starts) that counts.

He said: “Results are irrelevant to me, so if supporters or anyone reading any websites want to comment in a month’s time that Herne Bay have won every pre-season friendly - or lost every pre-season friendly - it bares no relevance on to the league campaign, so I just want to make that clear. It’s just a fitness thing, getting your touch back.

“I’m going into no (pre-season) games wanting to win them or lose them. It’s all about fitness, stamina and getting our touch back and our fitness right.”

Halsey, meanwhile, kept the identity of his transfer target quiet, and will unveil him at the game on Saturday.

He has already snapped up Medway based midfielder Rhys Lawson, who was forced to quit Ryman League football with Ramsgate, due to family and work commitments.

“I will be looking to carry 23-25 players, something like that, like I did last year,” said Halsey.

“Obviously Rhys will be, then maybe one other. He’s starting training with us on Thursday, he’s been away, he’s been getting himself fit.

“I will give him a run out and you can hear who after the game - but I won’t tell you that until then!

“If he can get himself fit he will be a massive, massive signing for us. He played in the Premiership, not last year, but he’s played in the Premiership.

“He’s got a little bit of fitness to do. He’s been out running. I’ve been with him. He’s definitely got ability, he’s got everything. He’ll just get himself back to his complete fitness. If he can do that, it will be a massive signing.”

Looking ahead to the season ahead, Halsey is looking to emulate Faversham Town’s success of last season.

“The only way is up, as far as Herne Bay are concerned, for myself, the players and the club,” said Halsey.

“We must do better but it’s going to be tough. Hythe have obviously signed their so-called big signings and they will be tough as normal. It’s going to be a normal season. VCD are back in there. Everyone thinks they will struggle for a team but Ricky Bennett’s got a lot of contacts. Erith & Belvedere, with Micky Collins there now, are going to be strong.

“It’s all to do again, but at the end of the day, I’m only worried about Herne Bay Football Club and focusing on what we do.

“The players thoroughly enjoyed themselves last year. All we want to do is play a really good style of football. The coaching’s good and everything’s good at the club really.

“With the reserves doing well; it’s not just the first team doing well. Herne Bay as a general football club are doing well. It is prominently about the first team but as long as the club’s doing well, that’s all that matters. The club will be here when we’re all gone.

“The under 18’s had a good season so it all bodes well and if we can bring some youngsters through, it will be great for the club.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfc.net

Herne Bay v Welling United

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 10th July 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Safety Net Stadium, Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG