I've been asked to steady the ship, says Hughes

BILLY HUGHES says he is picking up the pieces at Holmesdale - after three of the club’s management team quit to eventually take over at Croydon, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 35-year-old, who was number two at Beckenham Town under Jason Huntley last season, joined the Dalers’ last October and takes charge of his first game at Faversham Town tomorrow night.

Hughes, who now resides in Sevenoaks, has been promoted to manager following Tony Beckingham, Ken Thurgood and goalkeeping coach Tony Prime, forming the new management team at Croydon.

Hughes, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, has revealed he has drafted in former Grays Athletic coach Jim Dean on a short-term basis, and that star-striker Joel Greaves is the subject to an official seven-day approach from Croydon.

“We’ve got a great coaching coming in, Jim Dean,” said Hughes. “He’s just been released from Grays as first-team coach and he’s helping me for a couple of games as he’s going onto bigger and better things.”

And he added, “A seven-day approach has come in for Joel Greaves. We wish him all the best. He’s with us for a couple of weeks. There’s no point in joining Croydon yet, as he’s cup-tied.

“You have to remember, Joel and a few of the players have worked with Tony for a long time - we’d love to keep them but we want them to go on - we wish him the best of luck.”

But Hughes doesn’t expect a mass exodus from Oakley Road to the Croydon Sports Arena.

“Basically, the chairman has just said to look after things and hopefully everything goes fine,” he said.

“The chairman’s asked me to come in and look after it for the foreseeable future and steady the ship.

“Tony, Ken and Primey will be a big loss for any team. It’s a big loss for all of us, for Holmesdale in general.

“We had a team meeting after training and we looked into each other’s eyes and agreed that we’re in a good position, which these things have got us in, and they want to stick it out.

“It’s a brilliant club, it’s got a lot going for it. It’s come so far so quick and that’s down to Tony, Ken and Primey - and the chairman.

Beckingham explained his decision to quit the Bromley based outfit was that the club didn’t apply for promotion into the Ryman League.

The Dalers were, and still are in second place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table - two points behind leaders Hythe Town.

Despite the upheaval, Hughes says it would be foolish to write off the club’s title chances.

“The main thing is there’s some really good players down there,” he said. “We have to keep it going. We’re in a great position and (we’ll try to) maintain the good stuff, keep going, get results and keep Holmesdale in with a shout at the end of the season.”

Attention now turns to the double header against Faversham Town in the two-legged Kent League Cup Quarter-Final.

Hughes takes his side to Salters Lane tomorrow night for the first leg, before the return leg at Oakley Road at the weekend.

The Lilywhites have quietly climbed up to third place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table and are five points adrift of the Dalers.

Hughes will be without the cup-tied John Maloney, who played for Beckenham Town earlier in the competition.

“We’ve got a few injury problems,” revealed Hughes. “John Maloney, I signed him from Beckenham where he was skipper, is a massive loss.

“We’ve got to jiggle things about and we’ve had to bring in a couple of reserve players for tomorrow’s game, but that doesn’t mean we’re weakened as they’ve been knocking at the door anyway.”

Hughes, meanwhile, is relishing the opportunity that he has been presented with.

“I was at the right place at the right time,” he admitted. “I didn’t plan for this to happen. I planned to work with Tony (Beckingham) and do something with Holmesdale this year.

“They’ve decided to move on and good luck to them. I hope I can match, or get anywhere near to their success. They couldn’t leave the club in better shape.

“I’ve brought in six players and I owe it to them to stay with them. It’s a transitional period and I just hope it goes well. It won’t be for the want of trying.”

Visit Faversham Town’s website: www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Visit Holmesdale’s website: www.holmesdalefc.co.uk

Faversham Town v Holmesdale
Bulmers Cider Kent League Cup Quarter-Final First Leg
Tuesday 27^th January 2009
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND