It's important that we keep a stable base to compete successfully, says Herne Bay boss Sam Denly

HERNE BAY manager Sam Denly has told local rivals Whitstable Town that they cannot have under 18 manager Ben Smith.

The Oystermen have made an approach for Smith but Denly insists he wants a stable ship going into next season.

Herne Bay finished in eighteenth-place in the Ryman League Division One South table last season with 54 points from 46 games.

When asked about his summer transfer dealings, Denly revealed: “So far almost everyone from last season committed again for the coming season.

“I expected to keep most of the squad and that is proving the case.

“I am currently speaking with a number of players and hope to name a few in the coming weeks.

“A few are away on holiday and hope to get some signatures when they’ve returned.”

Whitstable Town are under the joint-managers Jim and Danny Ward and Denly has revealed that the Scottish brothers are taking an interest in Smith.

Denly said: “We have had a lot of clubs come in for a number of our players, especially Whitstable Town, who continue to try to take away Ben Smith and our under 18’s set-up, which is a compliment to Herne Bay and Ben in particular, showing what a talented youth set-up he has created.

“Ben will stay with Herne Bay Football Club and continue to develop and build on his already first rate youth programme and he will also be involved in first team affairs working as coach with myself and Gavin (Theze).

“We have worked hard at Herne Bay to create a local, well organised structured youth set-up where the players from 18’s are filtering through to under 21’s and then into the first team and again is a complement to everyone connected to the club when our neighbours and rivals Whitstable Town can recognise this.”

With a triangle of Kent clubs – Ramsgate, Hythe Town and Whitstable Town – changing their managers this month – Denly wants a steady ship going into the new season.

He said: “There is a lot of movement from within the Ryman League and it’s important that we keep a stable base and the club continues its hard work which will help us move the club forward and compete successfully at Ryman League level.

“The ground is being worked on in preparation for next season and is looking in really good shape.”

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/hernebay