Herne Bay appoint Kevin Watson: We are under no illusions of the magnitude of the task ahead but fundamentally believe that we can add significant value and impact

HERNE BAY chairman Stuart Fitchie has appointed Kevin Watson as their new manager this morning.

The club are rooted to the foot of the Isthmian League Premier Division table with two wins and two draws from their first 16 games at this level.

Midfielder Michael West and goalkeeper coach Joe Radford were in temporary charge for their 3-2 home defeat to Carshalton Athletic; 4-1 defeat at Canvey Island; a 1-1 draw at Ramsgate (before losing 6-5 on penalties) in the Kent Senior Cup and yesterday’s 4-1 defeat at Horsham.

Ben Smith stepped down from the managers role on 5 November and the club are struggling at the foot of the table and are eight points adrift of safety.

Corinthian-Casuals (eight points from 15), Brightlingsea Regent (10 points from 16) and James Collins’ Bowers & Pitsea (12 points from 15 games) are also in the relegation zone with Wingate & Finchley (15 points from 16) outside.

Watson stepped down from his job at Cray Valley following their 5-0 home defeat to bottom-of-the-table side Faversham Town last Tuesday, with the Eltham based club in fifth-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table.

“We are absolutely delighted to announce that Kevin Watson has signed on the dotted line to become the next first-team manager of Herne Bay Football Club,” said a club statement.

“Kevin joins the Bay after an incredibly successful spell in charge of Cray Valley (Paper Mills) where he guided the club to The FA Vase Final at Wembley Stadium in 2019, the Southern Counties East Football League championship the same season and The FA Cup First Round for the first time in the clubs history two seasons ago.

“Previously to that, Watson spent four seasons in charge of Chatham Town, now of the Isthmian League South East Division.

“In his final full season with the Millers, he led the side to their highest ever league position, with the club finishing fifth in the Isthmian League South East Division table, qualifying for the play-offs as a result but falling to Ashford United 1-0 in the semi-final.

“Kevin will make his debut in the dug-out for the Bay against Sevenoaks Town in the Velocity Cup on Tuesday evening, before taking his first league game the following Saturday when we host Brightlingsea Regent.”

Watson has appointed former Dartford and Brentwood Town boss Adam Flanagan as his assistant manager – and the pair were former defensive team-mates under Neil Cugley at Folkestone Invicta.

“It is with great pleasure that myself and Adam have decided to join Herne Bay,” said Watson.

“We are under no illusions of the magnitude of the task ahead but fundamentally believe that we can add significant value and impact.

“The aspirations of the club are quite clear from recent developments and investment. It is essential that this progress is mirrored on the pitch and build on the successes of last season.

“Adam and I have known each other for over 16 years and are confident that our combined experiences will provide a platform for growth.

“Herne Bay as a geographical area is one of which I am familiar and spend much time with my family.  From recent discussions with the chairman, I sensed that our values are aligned, which was of paramount importance for me in my next football chapter.

Chairman Fitchie has made Watson his second manager during his spell in charge on the Kent coast.

“I am extremely pleased to have Kev and Adam on board.

“It has been a very stressful couple of weeks, with highs, lows and things changing on a daily basis.

“Kev’s achievements over the last four seasons with Cray Valley have been really impressive, which is exactly why we identified him.

“He joins this club with our full support and knowing his personable traits, we are confident that he can lead us in a positive direction.”

However, Watson and Flanagan have lost the services of talisman Kieron Campbell, who has decided to leave Winch’s Field.

The talented attacker made 105 appearances for the club, scoring 19 goals and played a key role in helping Smith’s Herne Bay seal promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division for the first time last season, especially in the play-off games against Haywards Heath Town and Ashford United.

“Firstly, I would like to thank Ben Smith and Stuart Fitchie for bringing me on board in 2019 and trusting me to be a part of the process,” said Campbell in a statement.

“The process which some people would have deemed to be impossible in such a short space of time.

“Secondly, I would like to thank the best fans in the league for their continued support home and away. I can honestly say, I have never played for a fanbase like it. 

“The fans alone have made this decision all the more difficult.  Over the last three years we have created memories I will never forget.  From being bottom of the league to promotion.  Thank you to everyone involved in Herne Bay, it’s been a great journey.”

The club added: “Kieron’s name will go down in the history books as a legend of Herne Bay Football Club, having played a starring role in our promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division for the very first time in our history.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank KC for everything he has done in a Herne Bay shirt and wish him the very best for the next chapter of his footballing career.”

Watson’s first game will be a League Cup tie at home to Sevenoaks Town on Tuesday night (19:45).

Harry Hudson brings his side to Winch’s Field on a back of a goal-less draw at home to Sittingbourne yesterday.

The Oaks are in eleventh-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table with 18 points from 15 games.

Cray Valley, meanwhile, remain in fifth-place (23 points from 14 games) as Tommy Osborne’s first game in charge of the Millers ended in a 2-0 win at Chichester City yesterday.

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfootballclub.co.uk