I’m optimistic we’ll do pretty well, says Deal boss Derek Hares

Thursday 05th August 2010

DEAL TOWN boss Derek Hares says the start of the new Safety Net Associates Kent League season has come too early for him, writes Stephen McCartney.

Deal welcome last season’s basement side Lordswood to the Charles Sports Ground on Saturday without the likes of Grant Bagley (a summer signing from Whitstable Town), Shaun Armstrong and Jack Tanner, although he is expected to play former Whitstable player-manager Mark Munday, who has signed on as a player.

“Pre-season has been pretty good really,” Hares told www.kentishfootball.co.uk. “We had a couple of decent results and a couple where we’ve struggled a little bit.

“But our problems been we’ve had so many people away on holiday over the last couple of weeks but slowly but surely they’re coming back now.

“With the League starting so early there’s nothing we can do about that - I’m sure everyone’s been in the same boat.”

Hares has lost just one player in the summer transfer market, club captain Dave Bathgate has opted for a fresh challenge at Faversham Town, who are preparing for their inaugural Ryman League Division One South campaign, which kick’s off at fellow newboys Whitehawk on 21 August.

“Dave’s been a big part of the club now for six or seven years, he was captain of the club but maybe it was time for him to have a change,” said Hares.

“You can’t stand in his way as he’s playing at a better standard of football.

“If it doesn’t work out, I’ve always said to him he can come back to Deal.”

Hares has snapped up Roy Guiver (Folkestone Invicta), Bagley, Kane Hemmings and Dean Powell (both from Margate) and Munday spent the last ten games out of football, following his departure from Whitstable, although his number two that left with him, Paul Lamb was appointed as Deal’s new first team coach.

“Last year, from my point of view, the off-the-field situation wasn’t good and it made it very difficult for myself and everyone else at the club,” admitted Hares.

“That’s been resolved now and we’ve got a new board of directors and we’ve got a strong supporters’ club and a lot of work has been going on at the ground and it’s a new start for the club if I’m honest.

“We’ve brought in a few new faces, as many as we could, but the main thing was we’ve kept the main nucleolus of last year’s side.”

Lordswood assistant manager John Guest said last night that his side will not be finishing bottom next April, and Hares can see why.

“I’m sure Lordswood will be in a completely different position to where they were last year,” he said.

“We played them at the end of last season and they already started to improve and I’m sure it will be a difficult game.

“I know they played Folkestone last Saturday and they lost 4-1 - but I was told they played quite well.”

Hares added: “Our aspirations are really top half of the table to be honest.

“I wish (the opening day of the season) was a week later because lots of the lads have been away on holiday’s or just coming back from holidays. I mean, pre-season is all well and good, but it’s not like the real stuff.

“We’ll be very competitive and I’m optimistic we’ll do pretty well.”

Visit Deal Town’s website: www.dealtownfc.co.uk

Deal Town v Lordswood

Safety Net Associates Kent League

Saturday 7th August 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At The Oatmor-Harris Stadium, Charles Sports Ground, St. Leonards Road, Deal, Kent CT14 9BE