Kentish Football 
I need all my players on their game to knock out holders Whitley Bay, says Simon Halsey
Thursday 20th January 2011
HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey has issued a rallying cry from his players to play their game of their lives to send back-to-back holders Whitley Bay crashing out of the FA Carlsberg Vase on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Kent League leaders welcome the Northern League giants to an expectant Winch’s Field in the LAST 32 on Saturday with everyone dreaming about Wembley.
This is the day to stand up and be counted!
“Big game for the club, we’re looking forward to it,” said Halsey, 46, a carpenter, who lives in Rainham.
“We’ve prepared right, we’ve done all we can. We’ve got lots of support from various people and I’ve got the DVD through and the match report from the Whitley Bay game against Liverpool (in the last round) and I have been studying that before the game.
“As I’ve said to everyone the only time we lose is when we’re beaten by a better team or it’s something out of our control that we can’t handle. It won’t be through a lack of our preparation or ability.
Halsey’s heroes are a fine footballing side and are more than capable of causing an upset and send Whitley Bay crashing out.
“They’re the same level as us in terms of the pyramid,” added Halsey. “They’re obviously a good Cup side but we’re not worried about them in any way or form at all. We have to make sure we’re focused on what we’re doing and everyone of my players have to be playing at sevens and eights (marks out of ten), every one of them and we can’t have anyone dropping off to five’s or sixes, they have to be sevens and eights for the whole of the ninety minutes on Saturday.”
Halsey added: “The game will be won by us doing what we’re good at and that’s playing football, moving the ball quickly and getting the ball into the right areas.
The one and only time a Kent League club reached the FA Carlsberg Vase Final was when former Herne Bay boss Tommy Sampson led Deal Town to success underneath the iconic Twin Towers back in 2000.
It’s about time Kent enjoyed another big day out.
Halsey agreed, saying, “Going to Wembley is what we’re thinking about but before that we have to get Saturday’s game out of the way.
“The club, myself and the players, we just want to be successful and we’re getting that in a short time since I’ve been at the club.
“The club hasn’t got to the fourth round for 13 years - it’s another step for us to progress into this round.
“The chairman had no success until last year when we came runners-up (to Faversham Town in the Kent League title race) and won the Kent League Premier Cup and at this moment in time we’re top of the league, although it doesn’t count for nothing.
“We are progressing and if we can carry on progressing slowly - nothing’s going to happen in five minutes - and I can become a good manager like Tommy Sampson was - that’s something I want to emulate.
“Hopefully this is the start of many things happening down at Herne Bay.”
Victory on Saturday will go down in one of the club’s greatest days.
“If we can really, really get a result against Whitley Bay that will be by far one of my greatest achievements in my short time as manager at Herne Bay,” said Halsey.
“It’s all on the day really. I’ve done everything I can as a manager by preparing right but once the lads step over that white line at five-to-three on Saturday it goes a little bit out of my hands.
“We’re fit enough to go right through to ninety minutes or even extra time.”
Who wants to be Herne Bay’s hero on Saturday?
“Whoever gets me the winning goal!” replied Halsey.
“My players can set themselves a great little task on Saturday, they can be the player to knock out the holders from two years on the trot, which would be a great achievement for them.
“I need all of them on their game on Saturday, that’s not just the starting eleven but the whole sixteen involved on the day.”
Herne Bay have issued the following instructions to supporters:
The gate receipts are shared between the two sides. Therefore, everyone must pay for admission (FA rule)
Adults £6.00, Concessions £3.00, Under 12 £1.00
All adults will pay the appropriate full price
Youth team passes will be honoured but without the adult concession.
Special FA Vase edition programme £2.00
Please arrive early to avoid waiting after the kick-off
Please, please have the correct entry fee to assist with the gate operation
Please leave your car at home if at all possible. The car park is likely to be full very early
COME ON HERNE BAY - KENTISH FOOTBALL IS SUPPORTING YOU ALL THE WAY TO WEMBLEY GLORY!
www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game
Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfc.net
Herne Bay v Whitley Bay
FA Carlsberg Vase Fourth Round
Saturday 22nd January 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Winch’s Field, Stanley Gardens, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 5SG
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd