It's evident we can't compete with the big boys, admits Eltham Palace boss Terry Naden

ELTHAM PALACE manager Terry Naden says he has had the worst possible time preparing for the club’s inaugural Kent Invicta League campaign.



The club, who play at the Green Court Road Sports Ground in Crockenhill, finished in third-place in the Haart of Kent County League Premier Division last season and were accepted into the Kent Invicta League.

But Welling based Naden, 32, who first joined the club as an assistant manager in 2007, before taking over as first team manager in January 2008, admits his side are not ready.

“I’ve lost eight players in the close season, five of these were the week before pre-season started and all of them would’ve been in my first eleven, so that threw things just a tad,” bemoaned Naden.

“We then had a stag do two weeks into the campaign and a wedding this weekend just gone so it’s all felt a little bitty.

“Losing players is new to me. I suppose it’s part of the learning curve I have to go through as a manager.

“To be fair it’s only two to Phoenix, but two of my better lads.  I’ve also lost two to Erith Town and one to Bridon Ropes.

“It is what it is.  At the time I was gutted but as I say it’s part and parcel with the level we’re now playing at and something I’ve got to get used to and deal with.

“I was probably guilty of being complacent with my squad and it’s a bit me on the backside.  They’re all good lads though and they’ve moved on to better themselves.

“I’ve shaken all of their hands and said thanks to every one of them. They’ve helped us progress so no hard feelings from our side.”

Speaking about his new arrivals, Naden said: “We have replaced in certain areas.  I’ve got some of my old boys back, signed two new central midfielders, John Haxell, who was with Bridon Ropes and George Belchamber from Farnborough Old Boys Guild and previously with Beckenham Town.

“I’ve also got Billy Webb, a centre forward from Farnborough Old Boys Guild, so numbers wise we’re ok.

“Whether they’ll quite replace Jermaine Wright, Dean Kearley, Aran Hayrettin, Harry Montgomery and Marc Merridan, I don’t know, but time will tell.”

When asked what his aspirations are for their new challenge, Naden replied, “Survival!  No, it’s a difficult one to be honest. Before the exodus I was going into this league quietly confident that we could more than hold our own and surprise a few people but now we’ll have to wait and see.

“It’s evident we can’t compete with the big boys but now we’re here we’ll roll up our sleeves and have a good go at anyone. We want to be competitive and give a good account of ourselves. Anything more is a bonus.”

Eltham Palace kick-off their Kent Invicta League campaign with a trip to Lydd Town on 11 August, before welcoming fellow tenants Orpington, who finished at the foot of the table last season, to Green Court Road on 15 August.

When asked about his thoughts on their opening two games, Naden replied, “It could have been a lot worse!  We don’t expect any easy games in this league and so certainly wouldn’t approach Lydd and Orpington any different than we’ll approach Ashford or Phoenix.

“Orpington have gone through wholesale changes in close season I understand and with the ground bragging rights at stake it’s one we both want to win. 

“If we could take four points from these two fixtures, I wouldn’t be too disappointed.”

The club has come a very long way in a short space of time.

“It has - and probably too quickly,” admitted Naden.

“If I’m honest, we’re probably not ready to compete on the pitch, in terms of being anywhere near challenging, or off it.

“In hindsight, had I known the players I was going to lose, I’d have never applied for promotion, but like I said before we’re here now and so we’ll enjoy the ride.”

Naden added: “The major groundworks have to be in place next year, hardstanding, etc.  We’ve had to make some minor improvements this year but Green Court Road is already fairly well equipped with facilities so the big works start now.

“We’re gonna have a right good go this year.  Will we be the best team technically? Not at all, but we won’t roll over for anyone. Every point earned against my team will be hard a hard fought one and will have to wait and see where that takes us.  We can’t compete with the big boys of this league, but we’ll have a good time trying.”