Herne Bay boss Ben Smith brings coach Darren Beale to Winch's Field

HERNE BAY manager Ben Smith has pulled off a major coup by bringing coach Darren Beale to the club.

 

Beale was part of Sammy Moore’s management team at Vanarama National League South side Hemel Hempstead Town, where they guided the club to an eleventh-place placing before the season was cut short in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Prior to that, Beale was in the management teams at Concord Rangers and Leatherhead, Ramsgate, Hythe Town, Gillingham and Dover Athletic.

“I’m looking forward to joining a club that has great ambition and was sold on the project and long-term plans both the chairman (Stuart Fitchie) and manager have,” Beale told the Herne Bay website.

“I’m also excited to be working with a great management team and a strong squad, as well as working for a loyal fan base that Herne Bay has.

“I’m also excited to run the clubs post 16 academy in 2021 and helping to strengthen the connection between the youth teams and first team as much as possible from the outside and I can’t wait to get started.”

Smith guided Herne Bay to their highest position in the Isthmian League South East Division of fifth-place after 28 games but didn’t have a chance of competing in the play-offs for the first time after the Football Association controversially declared the season expunged.

“I’m really pleased to welcome Darren to the club,” said Smith.

“He brings a wealth of experience with him and has developed a fantastic reputation with players at National League level.

“I’ve said for a while now that we need to make improvements both on and off the pitch if we are serious in our ambitions.

“For the chairman to bring a coach in from National League South level is a big step for us.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Darren working with the talented players we will have at our club for the coming season.”

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