I think it's going to be another tight Kent League title race this season, says VCD Athletic boss

VCD ATHLETIC boss Ricky Bennett says there are at least six sides that are capable of winning the Kent Hurlimann Football League title this season, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Crayford based side finished a respectable third place after they were controversially demoted after just one season in the Ryman League over ground grading issues.

Vickers kick off their new campaign with a visit from Woodstock Sports (the artist formerly known as Norton Sports) tomorrow, before travelling to Erith Town next Monday (7:30pm).

When asked how well pre-season has gone at Oakwood, Bennett said: “Very good.  The lads’ are really fit, done some really good training and the performances in the games have been good too.”

Looking ahead to the game against Ben Taylor’s charges tomorrow, Bennett said: “We had two difficult games with them last season.  They’re a tough nut to crack ain’t them really.  We’re expecting a tough game.”

Bennett added:  “We’re a lot stronger this season than we were last year.  We felt that we done well last year but during the winter we lacked strength in depth in the squad to be honest, when we went on a run of drawing lots of games on the spin.

“I’ve got a bigger squad that hopefully bodes well when we get into a same situation.”

Bennett has brought in Uche Ibemere (Chatham Town), Lawrence Collins (Erith Town), Michael Callen, Mike McKenna (East Grinstead) and has enticed former Cray Wanderers legendary midfielder, Jamie Kempster to come out of retirement.

“Jamie’s been training and done all the pre-season,” explained Bennett, a former team-mate of his at Hayes Lane.

“He’s not really looking to come back and play for us as such, but he’s signed for us as cover.  Maybe we’ll be getting some use of Jamie during the season but he’s got other obligations at the moment.”

VCD Athletic swiftly return to action, with a trip to Tony Russell’s Erith Town next Monday.

“It will be a good game that, I think,” said Bennett.  “Obviously Tony’s improved his squad as well and in the games we had with them last season they were both close games.  I’m expecting it to be a good game, both of us like to play football.  Hopefully it will be a good game, but we know it’s all about results.”

Bennett insists people should look at other sides than the current title favourites, Herne Bay, Fisher and Erith & Belvedere for the title.

“Like I said to you before, you want to improve on every season so that will mean a second place or first place finish for us in terms of the league, getting to a cup final and doing well in the Vase,” said Bennett.

“We hope to achieve that, but it’s going to be tougher.  You get that second season scenario with new teams’ like we were last year.  I’m sure, along with a few other sides who have all improved. I think it will be a bit closer this year. 

“Last year you had Herne Bay and Hythe Town as the big guns.  This season Herne Bay will be the big guns again but there’s five or six teams who are a bit closer in terms of ability and standards and there could be one or two surprise teams this year.

“I think it’s going to be another tight season for everybody really.”

Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.vcd-athletic.co.uk  

VCD Athletic  v  Woodstock Sports
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 13^th August 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN

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