It's going to take time to be successful, admits Corinthian coach Douglas

Friday 21st August 2009

CORINTHIAN coach Andy Douglas goes into the club’s first Kent League game with a sense of trepidation, writes Stephen McCartney.

Corinthian were voted in at an Emergency General Meeting at Lordswood just three days before the start of the Bulmers Cider Kent League season started - but the green and whites kick-off their campaign tomorrow at promotion chasing side Beckenham Town.

Whilst Beckenham boss Jason Huntley demands that his side collect three points at Eden Park Avenue tomorrow, Douglas, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this lunchtime, admits his young side may not be ready.

“I think the start’s come around pretty quickly for us,” he said, “having just a couple of weeks to be prepared. It still means we’ve got quite a long way to go.

“We’re going to have a high youth content as we’ve eluded to. We’re talking a 2-3 year plan here to get ourselves established as a senior team and that’s still what our intention is.

“I’m delighted with the way the squad have worked over the last week, very hard, very focused and we’re going to give it our best effort tomorrow against Beckenham.”

Whilst Huntley insists his Beckenham side will have too much about them to collect maximum points against Corinthian tomorrow, Douglas does ask for respect.

He said: “I think one thing we will do is respect every team - but we have to earn that respect don’t we? Every team has to earn that and over time we want to achieve that.”

Beckenham, who endured a miserable campaign last term, where they finished third-from-bottom, want to clinch the title this season.

They started their campaign with a 1-0 home defeat to much-fancied side Faversham Town, before beating Fisher
(2-1) and picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Norton Sports in their last game and go into tomorrow’s game sitting in third place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table.

“Beckenham have had a good start, we’re top, been knocked off. I watched the Fisher game and were very impressed with what I saw,” said Douglas.

But Douglas asks followers of his side tomorrow to be patient, as this is a long-term project.

“I think we won’t necessarily have a big following because of our appointment as a senior club,” he said.

“There will be strong family and friends I’m sure and we will have their understanding with what we’re looking to achieve in the longer term, not the short-term.

“At some stage we want to be the top performing clubs in the Kent League - we realise that’s going to take time.”

Visit Beckenham Town’s website: www.beckenhamtownfc.co.uk

Visit Corinthian’s website: www.corinthiansportsclub.co.uk

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

Beckenham Town v Corinthian

Bulmers Cider Kent League

Saturday 22nd August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3JL