Gill bemoans about lack of Trams - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Croydon chief Dickson Gill believes the Kent League crown is heading Whitstable Town’s way, despite his side's 4-3 win at Tunbridge Wells tonight, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Trams leapfrogged over Thamesmead Town into second place in the table to move within five points off Marc Seager’s side.

But if VCD Athletic fail to beat Beckenham Town at Oakwood tomorrow night, Whitstable, who meet Vickers at The Belmont on Saturday, will clinch their first ever Kent League crown.

“Yes, I think they’ve won it personally, I don’t see them messing up this time of the year,” Gill said EXCLUSIVLEY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following their win at Culverden Stadium.

“We had it in our own hands one time and we lost, and they (Whitstable) lost.

“But to be honest, unless they really slip up I don’t think we can catch them, but if they slip up, then I think VCD will get it.

“I will be happy if we get second place if we can get that. If not, I’ll be happy with third or fourth even.”

Gill, who is the club’s manager and chairman, looks back on a successful first season in the Kent League following their switch from the now defunct, Ryman League second division.

“Obviously the football’s a little bit more physical from what we’re used to but we could have done with a bit more games at times,” he said.  “There’s a long period of time where we don’t have no games.”

Mr Gill explained the financial situation at the Croydon Sports Arena club.

He said: “It is secure but we need to generate more money if we want to go further.

“We have made a lot of good strides being in the Kent League because our fan base has gone up 30% more than it has been.

“When we was in the Ryman, our own fan base was roughly about 30. Now we’ve got 60, so we’ve doubled it.”

Gill could only name a fourteen-man squad at Culverden Stadium tonight, drafting in youth team players Sam Warner and used substitute Ryan Watts.

But Gill admits he needs to operate on a much larger squad next season, especially as striker Lee Kirby (hamstring) and central midfielder Bronek Dabrowa (groin) are doubtful for Saturday’s home game against Faversham Town after picking up injuries in west Kent tonight.

“I don’t think we’re a million miles away, we just need a bigger squad,” he said.

“I think we need a bigger squad. What we had here today, that’s all we’ve got. I need to strengthen it to a 20-man squad, like most of the teams in this league have done.”

Gill is the man to guide the club back into the Ryman League.

“I reckon about three to four years,” he said. “The club was so financially in debt, we managed to get ourselves sorted and (now) we’re going forward.

“If we get out next year, fine. If not, it’s not all lost. We quite enjoy our football in the Kent League.”

Visit club websites:

www.thelasttramhome.cjb.net

www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Croydon  v  Faversham Town
Kent League Premier Division
Saturday 21^st April 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Croydon Sports Arena, Albert Road, South Norwood, London SE25 4QL