If I was a gambling man, I'd put our opening game down as a draw, says Fisher boss Steve Firkins

FISHER boss Steve Firkins says supporters of the beautiful game should get themselves down to Champion Hill to watch their Kent Hurlimann Football League opening game against Erith & Belvedere tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.


Firkins has enticed his entire management and playing staff with him from Greenwich Borough to Fisher, the club that finished rock bottom last season.

He is pleased with the way his 28-man squad have settled into their new surroundings – and the football that they play is simply breath taking, “carpet football,” is the way assistant Bill Walton describes - I have to agree!

When asked how pre-season has gone, Firkins replied, “Satisfactory, I think the word is that I’m looking for.  It’s just been positive.

“We’ve had a good buzz about the (training) sessions and that and it’s just been enjoyable all round.   Even the lads I have spoken to who know aren’t going to start, there’s no moaning or winging, not at the moment anyway!

“We are pleased with the way how the sessions have gone.  We had a bit of a problem last night with Frankie Warren, who went down a bit awkward and looks like he’s jarred his shoulder.”

Firkins has a 28-man squad on his books and with no reserve side, he may be forced to offload players.
“The few lad’s that I have spoken to that are fringe, fringe players, they want to stay involved with the team and the club,” explained Firkins.

“I’ve had a couple of offers from clubs who know we are running with a big squad and they’ve asked us if we’re prepared to loan any players out, which I think is going to be the way we’re going to have to go about it.

“I’ve spoken to three or four of those players, who I want to release but we just feel as time goes on we may need those players.  Last year (at Greenwich Borough), we signed around 35-40 players midway through the season so if we’ve got the nucleus of the squad, we’re happy with the squad providing the players are prepared to wait their turn.  I don’t think I’ll look into signing any new players during the season.”

Tomorrow’s game against Erith & Belvedere is clearly the game of the day in the Kent Hurlimann Football League.

“We’re looking forward to the game to be honest with you, no doubt Micky Collins will as well,” said Firkins.

“It’s been a long, old build up and a lot of things have been said on forums and things.  All the managers want to start and get on with it really.  It doesn’t really matter what happens here at the moment.  Everyone wants to start off with three points, but it’s what happens at the end of April – that’s where it will all tell.”

Firkins, who has tipped a top-three finish, whilst Walton wants the club to win the title outright, especially with the “carpet football” that the team play.

“We just want to get on with it,” said Firkins.  “The pitch looks fine down at Dulwich, the facilities are Dulwich are second to none and its two teams who like playing a bit of football so hopefully it should be a good game.

“What we’re hoping for is a decent crowd.  Fisher’s average last year was 101, along those lines.  We’re hoping to put a few more on the gate because a lot of the lads we’ve got are local lads.”
As expected, Firkins played down the suggestion of a “six-pointer” on the opening day of the new season.

“If I was a gambling man, if there was a fixed-odds coupon, I would put it down as a draw,” said the Fisher boss.

“I’d be happy with a draw tomorrow, just to get something on the table.  They’ve got a decent squad, have had a really good pre-season, we’ll give them the utmost respect and hopefully it will be a good game for both teams and both sets of supporters.
The Bermondsey Born and Bred manager was sickened by the riots in London earlier on in the week.

Thamesmead Town, Greenwich Borough and even Whitstable Town were all forced to cancel pre-season games against Hollands & Blair, Leatherhead and Horsham last Tuesday due to safety reasons as a number of towns in the capital were hit by mindless thugs.

“It affected us during the week, we had to cancel one of our training sessions on Tuesday,” said Firkins.

“We don’t want to see this kind of thing going on.  It is a minority but unfortunately that minority spoils it for the rest of us.

“I’m a working class fella and most people involved in football are working class and I just feel a little bit let down by these idiots who run around and give the working class man a bad name basically.”

Micky Collins, the Erith & Belvedere manager, was unavailable to comment.

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

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.co.uk

Fisher  v  Erith & Belvedere
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 13^th August 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Champion Hill Stadium, Dog Kennel Hill, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD

HELP SWEEP THE SCUM OFF THE STREETS OF LONDON – SHOP A THUG THAT SHAMED OUR CAPITAL CITY!
Visit www.met.police.uk/disordersuspects