It's important we get back to the levels we can play at, says Erith Town boss Tony Russell

ERITH TOWN manager Tony Russell says he wants more financial backing from the club next season.


The Dockers suffered a miserable 3-0 defeat away to Beckenham Town last Monday and as a result remain in fourth-place in the Kent Hurlimann Football League table, with 50 points from 26 games.

They are now nine points adrift of league leaders Herne Bay, who do have three games in hand and Simon Halsey’s side now need only eight points from their last seven games to seal promotion into the Ryman League.

Russell, meanwhile, wants to end their campaign on a high and record their best ever campaign at this level.

He said: “The highest points total for Erith Town is 53 points at the top level and we’re on 50 points now. Last year’s total, 40 points, we’re on 50 points now.  The highest the club has ever finished, once, was fifth in the league and we’re in a good position to try and match that.”

Reflecting on their league campaign, Russell said: “It’s disappointing because we’ve had a lot of games that we should’ve won and dropped points but we had a chat after the Sevenoaks game and it proves that we’re better than last year.

“Anyone who wants to do anything in any league, you can’t just finish mid-table one year and suddenly win it.  If you look across the years’ of the Kent League, the Herne Bay’s, the Hythe’s, the Maidstone’s the Thamesmead’s, they’ve always been there or there abouts for a few seasons and built a foundation on ethos of football and base of players and added to it.  We’re in the process of doing that.

“If I’m there the next year then we’ll be in a stronger position to do better than what we’ve done this year and that’s what’s important.  It’s progression.  You have to progress.  We haven’t got the sugar daddy who comes and gives me a massive wage bill.”

Russell revealed he has already spoken to chairman Albert Putman about the club’s aspirations for next season.

“I had a meeting with Albert and he told me his rough plans for next year,” said Russell.

“It’s hard.  Albert does superb for this football club. They’re such a small committee and they work their nuts off.

“I’m ambitious but I need to do things for them.  I can’t sit here and talk about it, how good I am.  The proof’s in the pudding.

“I’d love to do it at this football club but I’d love to be on a level playing field or even get me close and I’d back myself to do the rest.

“That’s not me killing Erith because they do fantastic for what they’ve got.  They’re a small committee, everyone works their tits off but at the end of the day, at training and a match I’m putting goals out myself and dug-outs and things like that. 

“It’s like anything, some days you love it.  Some days it just drives you mad and maybe today I’m just moaning because it’s driving me mad.”

Erith Town host Erith & Belvedere on Easter Saturday, before ending their campaign against Canterbury City, Sevenoaks Town and Cray Valley (Paper Mills).

Erith & Belvedere are smarting from Monday’s news that they have been thrown out of the Umbro Kent Senior Trophy Final, after fielding a player who didn’t have international clearance and as a result their place in the final will be taken by either Hollands & Blair or Cray Valley (Paper Mills), who face each other at Star Meadow in Gillingham on Saturday.

The winner will face Sevenoaks Town in the final on Sunday, 15 April, at Park View Road.

Russell says he knows what to expect against Micky Collins’ side on Saturday.

He said: “We’ve done our homework.  I’ve watched them.  They’re direct, they play it to AC (31-goal striker, Andy Constable) and work on scraps. 

“We’ve got different theories on football me and Micky, it doesn’t mean I’m right or he’s right.  We’ve got different contrasts.

“They’re on a great run of form.  I think they’ve won seven or eight on the bounce.  They’ve got some good players.    I think they’re a good side. 

“First and foremost it’s important we get back to the levels we can play at and the rest will look after itself I think.”

Visit Erith Town’s website: www.erithtown.com  

Erith Town  v  Erith & Belvedere
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Easter Saturday, 7^th April 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Erith Sports Stadium, Avenue Road, Erith, Kent DA8 3AT