Halsey drills winning mentality into Bay's players

Monday 27th July 2009

SIMON HALSEY, the assistant manager at Herne Bay, has played down the hype surrounding Tuesday night’s home match against arch-rivals Whitstable Town, writes Stephen McCartney.

Three years ago, Halsey, alongside manager Marc Seager, clinched the Kent League title for Whitstable Town and guided the club to 50 points in both of their first two Ryman League Division One South campaign’s following promotion.

Halsey departed the Belmont Road club following Seager’s decision to quit the club to concentrate more time on his family commitments at the end of last season.

Whitstable appointed Mark Munday as their new manager - and Halsey faces his former side for the first time as both coastal clubs contest the Bruce Smith Shield at Winch’s Field.

When asked if he’s looking forward to the big game, Halsey, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today replied, “Same as any pre-season, I don’t know why you say it’s the big one! Why is it a big one? It’s just another game!

“That’s what I try and get through to the players, mentally you can’t go into games like that. It’s just another 11 players that we’re playing against and that’s all that matters, it’s just a pre-season friendly“”

Halsey admitted he doesn’t want to get one over his former club.

He said: “Anyone who knows me will say I’ve never been out to go back to clubs wanting to beat them for the sake of its my old club.

“Again, it’s another 11 players that we’re playing against and I’m trying to get through to our players if that you have to get that mentality whether you’re playing one of the top clubs, the middle clubs or the bottom clubs, you have to prepare right for every game.

“That’s why, if you’re going to win the league, it’s by not underestimating any team and don’t take things lightly.

“I’m not going to say we’re going to win it, but any team at any level goes into the start of the season with their goal of winning the league.

“If it’s actually feasible we won’t know until April, but every team goes into the season with the aspirations to win the league.”

Halsey has been pleased with the turn-out and willingness to learn from the players at Winch’s Field.

“We started quite early, every session we’ve had between 18-24 players every session,” he revealed.

“To be fair, I’ve had an average of 20 and the reserves have averaged 20, so we’ve got plenty of bodies around the club.

“The lads are really taking training very well, it’s been good. Technically they’re a good young side and I’ve been impressed with them.

“The good thing is, apart from two players, everyone has stayed from last year. They’ve all played with each other last season so they’ve had the advantage of playing together and knowing the do’s and don’ts of the Kent League.

Rhys Lawson was the first player to leave, to sign for Ryman League Division One South side Ramsgate, whilst Steven Lloyd has returned to train with his former club, Whitstable Town.

Michael Jenner (local football), Bryan Greenfield (Hollands & Blair), Dave Crofts (Holmesdale), Sam Callander (ex-Ebbsfleet United/Ramsgate loanee) and Louis Valencia (ex-Chatham Town reserves) have all signed for Herne Bay.

Halsey revealed that he’s been trying to snap up Jenner, a central midfielder, for two years.

“He’s come from local football in the Medway area,” he said. “He’s been touted around for a couple of years. I tried to get him down to Whitstable (when I was there), but he was quite happy just playing local football.

“But this season, for some reason, he’s realised you can play local football when you’re a bit older but while you’re young and you’ve got the chance to play at a not bad level, why not do it.”

Left-back/left-winger, Greenfield, picked up a treble of winners medals for Vandanel Kent County League champions Hollands & Blair last season and Halsey explained why the club have snapped up central midfielder Crofts from Bromley based side Holmesdale.

“We’ve got Dave Crofts, the brother of Andy who was at Gillingham. He’s had a spell at Holmesdale last year but he was doing a lot of travelling and it was costing him a lot of money, so he’s decided to knock it on the head.”

And Valencia, a left-winger, is a young lad who has turned out for Chatham Town’s reserve side.

“They’re quite strong additions to the squad,” added Halsey.”

Herne Bay, meanwhile, expect striker Stuart King to be out of action until September at the earliest, having broken his arm in a work related accident at the weekend.

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

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Herne Bay v Whitstable Town

Bruce Smith Shield - Pre-Season Friendly

Tuesday 28th July 2009

Kick Off 7:30pm

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