It's great to see my players are taking the bull by the horns, says Herne Bay boss Simon Halsey

HERNE BAY boss Simon Halsey says he has ten shirts available for their inaugural Ryman League Division One South game of the season on 18 August.



The promoted Kent League title winners and FA Vase semi-finalists will know who they will face on the opening day of the season when the Ryman League publish their League fixtures tomorrow.

And with goalkeeper Dan Eason the only name pencilled in for his opening day team-sheet, Halsey has challenged his old and new players to stake a claim.

Herne Bay make the trip to Woodstock Sports for their opening pre-season friendly on Saturday, before travelling to bitter-rivals Whitstable Town to contest the Bruce Smith Shield next Tuesday evening.

Halsey said: “We’ve had some new faces come in and sort of had between 48-52 players’ at each training session so all good.”

Looking ahead to the clash against Ben Taylor’s side, Halsey said: “I’m treating it as a very serious game for fitness wise and getting the feel of 90 minutes back into the squad.

“But on the other side of it it’s for the good cause, the memorable game for Carl Davies, so it will be good to keep the memory of Carl alive and if we can do it each year, hopefully with this trophy between the two clubs and also give certain people who run our country a kick up the backside to make sure they try to find out what happened to the fella out there and bring some justice.

“There’s a lot of good about Saturday.  I’m looking forward to it.   There will be plenty of new faces, some of them will be aired on Saturday, some of them won’t be. 

“We’ve got a big week ahead of us with Woodstock and Whitstable and then Seven Acre & Sidcup and VCD so these trialists that I’ve had will be getting a lot of minutes this week to get in my face and get into my side.”

Halsey, meanwhile, played down the importance of their friendly against Whitstable Town.

It is very rare that two sides from the same division face each other in pre-season and that is exactly the reason why Halsey will keep all of his first team players on the training ground rather than at Belmont Road to face Justin Luchford’s side.

“I’ve got no interest in the game apart from seeing what my trialists can do,” said Halsey.

“I didn’t want the game and I’ve told them I’ll be going there with a trialist side.  The only good I’ll get out of it is if the trialists can play in a big game like that.  It’s just another 90 minutes to get their fitness and their feel of 90 minutes again.

“There won’t be any first team playing on Tuesday night. They’ll be training but they won’t be playing.

“It will be a great game for the trailists to come and have a look at them. It will benefit me in some degree to look at the trialists in which everyone classes as a big game.

“I’m glad to be sending a side there for Bruce’s sake. He wanted it played and he hasn’t been well lately. It will be a complete trialists game.”

Herne Bay welcome Kent Invicta League side Seven Acre & Sidcup to Winch’s Field next Thursday, before VCD Athletic are the visitors to contest the Kent League Challenge Shield next Saturday.

Ricky Bennett’s side finished in fourth-place in the Kent League last season and they also won the Kent League Cup following their 2-0 win over Corinthian at Cray Valley’s ground in Eltham.

“That will be the competitive one on Saturday, against VCD,” revealed Halsey.

“We didn’t manage to get many points off them last year and they beat us in the KPL Cup semi-final.

“I’ll be fielding a strong side on Saturday.  We’ll have a shape to what we’re playing and certain players will show what they can do in their positions.

“Saturday will have more a bearing on what will be happening really at the place.”

Halsey revealed he will be carrying a first team squad of between 18-20 for their Ryman League campaign.

Halsey said: “It’s a big test for Herne Bay this year and for myself and my old and new players and we have to see where the ride takes us really.

“It’s taken us two and a half to three seasons to get where we are. We’ve added to it with (coach) Hugo Langton coming in and Deery (Anthony Deer) has gone into his role as goalkeeper coach and everything.

“The club is moving in the right direction in all areas, just not the playing side.”

When asked if he knows his starting eleven for the opening League game, Halsey replied, “No!  I haven’t got a clue!  Dan Eason always plays in goal so there’s ten other shirts.  Everyone’s on an even keel come Saturday and next week.

“Everyone has to get in my face and say “I want that shirt Si!”  We’ve all sat down all 50 of us and they know what’s expected of them. It was very professional last year and the year before, but this year it’s going to be even more professional.

“A lot of lads have done their own pre-season before pre-season, which is great.  It’s great to see they’re taking the bull by the horns and taking it seriously like everyone else at the club.”

Halsey revealed last season’s top goalscorer, Byron Walker is still on the scene.

“Byron hasn’t missed a training session but he hasn’t signed yet, but he’s at every training session so that gives me great hope and anticipation that he will be with us. That will happen and whatever happens will happen. He is training with us and that’s a plus as far as I’m concerned.”

Meanwhile, Whitstable Town have today announced that four players have left the club.

Gary Mickelborough has left to join Kent Invicta League side Ashford United to ensure regular first team football.  Defender Marc Cumberbatch has been struggling with injury and is unable to commit regularly to the club. Midfielder James Pinnock has hung up his boots after a long career and goalkeeper Dave King has left due to other commitments.

Whitstable Town boss Justin Luchford told www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk : “They have all played a big part last season and personally would like to say thank you to all of them.”

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfc.net  

Woodstock Sports  v  Herne Bay
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 14^th July 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Woodstock Park, Broadoak Road, Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 8AG